- Date Of Birth: July 18, 1929
- Date Of Death: May 6, 2020
- State: Massachusetts
Worcester/Monson-Hugh Graham passed away on Wednesday, May 6th at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester, MA.
After graduating from Harvard in 1953, Hugh traveled to Aspen, CO where he met and fell in love with Phyllis, who would become his companion for nearly 65 years. They moved back east to Monson, MA where Hugh got a job as a teacher in the public high school.
Raising a family was foremost in Hugh and Phyllis’ hearts and from 1956 through 1968 they realized their dream with a girl and six boys.
In Monson, Hugh became principal of the elementary school and president of the Monson Free Library Association where he oversaw the expansion of the library in both its building and its offerings.
Hugh was an educator at heart instituting field trips for Monson school students, modernizing the curriculum and being an advocate for teachers. For 20 years, as head of the town’s driving instruction program, he taught hundreds of young people the essential skills of how to drive safely. Even his leisure time was dedicated to learning, sharing his love of history and civics with his family by taking yearly trips to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston.
Raised by a single mother, Hugh had great respect for the rights of women and he spoke often of the accomplishments of his mother and his aunts who were successful professional women in 1930s. These strong women were his mentors and role models. The dedication and sacrifices Hugh made for his family are evidence of the loving and nurturing spirit they passed on to him. Through his example he has passed the same spirit on to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In retirement Hugh continued to travel with Phyllis and pursue their loves of tennis and alpine skiing. He reveled in the success of his children, all of whom sought higher education and have found love and success in their own ways.
Hugh’s honest, loving and generous spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
