Gerald L Graham

“He Fought the Good Fight”

“I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7The date was Friday, March 9, 1962. The price of gas was .32 cents a gallon, the average cost of a home was $19,634, a brand-new car was $2,752, and John F. Kennedy was president. Also on that day, in Bridgeport Hospital, Mr. & Mrs. Bennie Graham welcomed their 3rd child, a son, and they named him Gerald Lemar Graham.Affectionately known as “G-Man,” Gerald was one who always tended to the needs of others before he considered himself. Whatever the task, if it needed to get done, he made sure it did. He was our balance. Our fixer. Our stabilizer. He loved helping in any way he could. He possessed a strong work ethic that was given to him at a very young age by working summers on his uncle’s farm in Lake City, S.C. He was honest, integral and disciplined.Growing up in Bridgeport, Gerald matriculated in the Bridgeport Public School System, graduating from Central High School in June of 1980. From there, He enlisted in the United States Army in 1981, serving a 3-year term as a food service specialist. He was stationed at Ft. Jackson, S.C. and later served overseas in Germany, before being honorably discharged in 1984.

In September of 1986, Gerald entered the workforce and began employment with St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, CT., as short order cook. He remained employed there until his recent passing.

Gerald possessed gifts and talents in many areas. For example, in the area of sports, it was basketball and baseball. But in the area of a kitchen, with some pots and pans, a stove, and some ingredients Gerald was MASTERFUL! He could (and would) make ANYTHING! He had the ability to take the most basic of meals and transform it into something that would easily rival any 5-star cuisine.Growing up in a musical family, He appreciated all genres of music, but he held gospel music (quartet in particular) closest to his heart. On Sunday mornings, our alarm clock was hearing all the great gospel quartet groups that we grew up on, as well as the smells of the delicious food he was preparing for dinner.

He began his medical journey in 2010, and not one time over these last 13 years did he ever allow his condition to define or defeat him. He never made any excuses. He just kept going. He kept living. It was heartbreaking at times watching him navigate life, cause all we wanted for him was to be at peace and be healed. So, after years of praying and crying, God answered our prayer on the evening of June 16th, 2023 around 7:30 pm. Surrounded by his family, Gerald Lemar Graham went back to the Father in peace, and COMPLETELY HEALED.

Pre-deceased by his father, SFC Bennie A. Graham, and older brother Sergeant Darrien C. Graham, those left to keep his legacy alive are his number one lady, his mom, Elder Allie F. Graham from Bridgeport, CT., Two sisters: Cordelia Anita (Joey) Graham of Bridgeport CT, and LaTonnia E. Graham of Charlotte, NC. Two brothers; Benjamin A. Graham of Bridgeport, CT. and Savoui (Chrystal) Graham of Bridgeport CT. Nephews Eurjay Graham of Bridgeport, CT., Ryshan Graham of Atlanta, GA., and Marcus Graham of San Jose, CA. Nieces Shataya Graham of New London, CT., Briana Graham of Bridgeport, CT., and Janay Graham of Boston, MA. Two uncles; Oliver (Veronica) Swinton of Stratford, CT., and Eli Jack McNair, and host of cousins, co-workers, and friends.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

-Revelation 21:4

Gerald L. Graham peacefully passed into eternal life of Friday, June 16, 2023 at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, CT

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