Obituary: Duncan M. Graham

Duncan M. Graham, 83, died Friday, November 11, 2011 at Waterbury Hospital. He was the husband of Larae (Stemmler) Graham.

Graham was born January 7, 1928 in Boston, the son of the late Duncan P. and Jane (Mitchell) Graham. He was a graduate of Boston Technical High School and the University of Massachusetts with a degree in landscape architecture.

He earned a Master’s Degree at Yale University in city planning, where he was awarded the Parsons Medal for distinction in his field of study. He worked as a planning consultant before being named executive director of the Central Naugatuck Valley Regional Planning Agency, which evolved into the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley.

The COGCNV serves the 13 municipalities in the Waterbury area.

Graham retired in 1991 after working for 30 years in this capacity. He was the recipient of the Coburn Award, awarded by the Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies.

In 2001, the Council of Governments established the Duncan M. Graham Award for Regional Leadership.

Graham served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII and the Korean War. After retirement, Graham served as one of Woodbury’s representatives to the Council of Governments.

He was a longtime volunteer driver for FISH of Woodbury and for many years played the side drum in the Litchfield Hills Pipes and Drums. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Woodbury, serving on numerous committees and as a deacon.

Boating, fishing and clamming with family during summers in Charlestown, R.I. were Graham’s favorite times. Gardening and reading added to his pleasure in life. He had a quick witted humor about him that will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

Graham is survived by his daughters, Kerri Graham of Woodbury, Larae Lang and her husband Rich of Sherman; a son, Scott and his wife Leigh of Southbury; grandchildren Maari, Graham and Griffin Lang of Sherman and Alyssa and Ian Graham of Southbury; a niece and two nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Jean Graham Sampson.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woodbury Community Services Council, P.O. Box 585, Woodbury, 06798.

Services:  A service to celebrate Graham’s life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at First Congregational Church, 214 Main St. South, Woodbury.