Francis Graham

OXFORD – Dr. Francis C. Graham, 77, of Wheelock Street, died Thursday, May 24, 2007, at Knollwood Nursing Center, Worcester, after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary A. (Caisse) Graham of Oxford; his son, Mark D. Graham and his wife Theresa of Pomfret, CT; his daughter, Ellen F. Fogg and her husband Carlton of Oxford; eight grandchildren, Kevin, Jennifer, Kristina, Erin, Valerie, Ryan, Patrick, and Shawn; and two great grandchildren, Jasper and Dahlia. He was predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth M. Graham of Worcester, who died in 2001. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Chester and Marion (O'Brien) Graham, and lived in Worcester before moving to Oxford 50 years ago. He attended Worcester State College in Worcester, and graduated from the Massachusetts School of Chiropody and the Ohio College of Podiatry. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Medical Corps. Dr. Graham and his wife built the Oxford Manor Nursing Home (currently Sunbridge-Sandalwood Nursing Home) in Oxford in 1965, and was the nursing home administrator for many years. Later, Dr. Graham had a private practice as a podiatrist, with offices in Worcester, Webster, and Oxford. He was a former member of the Oxford School Committee for several years and belonged to several business and professional organizations many years ago. Dr. Graham was a member of St. Roch's Church in Oxford and was an avid boating and fishing enthusiast. A funeral will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2007, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will be at a later date at North Cemetery, Oxford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Roch's Church, 334 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540, or to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813. www.paradisfuneralhome.com