Obituary of Hal E Graham

Cohocton – Hal E. Graham, 74 years of age, passed away early Thursday evening February 2, 2017 at his home in Cohocton. Hal was born April 26, 1942 in Shelby, NC the son of Everette and Margie (Morrison) Graham. He grew up in Shelby and was a 1960 graduate of Number 3 High School. Hal then attended and was a 1962 graduate of Gardner Webb College in NC. He also attended the Rochester Institute of Technology. Throughout the years, Hal resided in Shelby, NC, Delaware, Rochester for 30 years and for the past 19 years, Cohocton. Hal and Judy Stanton were married July 15, 1968 at the First Presbyterian Church of Naples and together have celebrated over 48 years together. Hal was an office manager at Morse Sash and Door in Rochester for 25 years, retiring several years ago. He was also the Cohocton Town Judge for 12 years, displaying a very fair and philosophical nature while serving the town. For several years, Hal enjoyed snowmobiling; playing golf; restoring the Stanton Family homestead on Lent Hill; and most recently he assisted in the restoration of the Stanton Family cemetery. Hal was also very active within local organizations wherever he lived. He was a board member of the Pittsford YMCA; a t-ball coach in Brighton; past president and treasurer of the Steuben County Magistrates Association; and a session member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cohocton. Hal had a wonderful sense of humor; the ability to make you feel at ease; and the gift of being able to see both sides of a situation. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Hal was pre-deceased by his parents, Everette and Margie Graham. He is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Judy Graham of Cohocton; his brothers, Hugh (Myra) Graham of NC and Phil (Nancy) Graham of NC; his niece, often considered a daughter and special love Miriam (Jeff) Bell of NC, nieces, Julie (Chad) McGinnis and Amber Graham; many great nieces and nephews; his special friends, John Adams, Ron and Kathy Hinson, Darliene and Tom Lyons and Tom and Denise Rudy; along with too many other friends to count. A special thank you to Care First, especially Carol, Victoria and Dean. Hal’s family and friends may call Friday Feb. 10, 2017 from 4 – 7pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A memorial service will be celebrated for Hal Saturday Feb. 11, 2017 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church of Cohocton, 54 Maple Ave., Cohocton. Contributions in memory of Hal E. Graham may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cohocton, 54 Maple Ave., Cohocton, NY 14826 or to the Wilmot Cancer Institute Development Office, Alumni and Adv. Center, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627 or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.