Richard Stephen Graham

Richard Stephen Graham, known as "Steve," was a passionate, indefatigable community organizer, skilled musician, voracious traveler, avid scuba diver and hearts player, more than a friend to everyone he met, and a loving father, son, brother, and grandfather. He passed away peacefully in the early morning on Thursday, November 17. Born in Pasadena to Phillip and Elizabeth (Murray), raised with two younger brothers, Bob (dec.) and Jon, Steve enjoyed his youth in California, especially Balboa Island. Steve went to Occidental and UC Berkeley for a master's in social work. A resident of Oakland, Steve worked in San Francisco at Services for Seniors, which led to Kaiser Permanente, where he was an integral part of Community Clinics Consortium. He played stand-up bass in local bands City Swing, PBD, Automatic Pilot, and with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Orchestra. He loved to play hearts and never stopped traveling and he loved scuba diving and was one of Diving for Life's first members. Family and friends are invited to attend a remembrance service of Steve December 4, 2011 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Richmond Room, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland,, CA. Please bring stories, pictures, an open mind and your love. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to PD Active, P.O. Box 22923, Oakland CA  94609 or Diving for Life, www.divingforlife.org.