Alfred James Graham

Alfred James Graham, 88, of Rome, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022. A graveside service will be held Monday, March 28, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery with Father McIntyre officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Floyd Felines, P.O. Box 2364, Rome, GA 30164.

Son of the late Alfred Robert and Winifred Margaret Luby Graham, Mr. Graham was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 4, 1933. Al and his mother came to the Panama Canal Zone on the PanAm China Clipper to join his father, who was employed by the Panama Canal Commission.  Al attended Ancon School, Balboa Junior High School, and Balboa High School, graduating in 1951.   After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving until 1955.  After his discharge, Al returned to the Canal Zone and was employed by the Pacific Locks as a security guard until 1962 when he entered the Panama Canal Apprentice Program.  He graduated as an electrician in 1966 and went back to work on the Pacific Locks. On the Locks, Al was broken in on the locomotives (mules) and went to work as Lock Operator Electrician.  He worked his way up the ranks to Leader Electrician, Control House Operator, Junior Lockmaster, Senior Control House Operator, finally retiring as Electrical General Foreman for the Pedro Miguel Locks.

Throughout his life, Al was always active in community affairs.  He was a charter member of AFGE Local 1780, the Locks Security Guard Union, and was later elected president.  After graduating as an electrical worker, Al joined the IBEW 397, and was later elected president.  He also served on the Panama Canal Apprentice Committee and was a life member of Elks Lodge 1414.

Al was later elected president of the Canal Zone Central Labor Union – Metal Trades Council AFL-CIO.  During this time, Governor Harold Parfitt consented for Al to accept an appointment as Labor Advisor to the United States Treaty Team by United States President Jimmy Carter and AFL-CIO president George Meany, where he was assigned to the United States State Department.  Al fulfilled his duties with the help of his wife, Mariette, who had served as president of the Canal Zone Nurses’ Union.

Al retired from the Canal Zone in 1985 and moved to Macon, Georgia, Mariette’s hometown.  Retirement didn’t suit him, and he went to work as Chief Engineer for Holiday Inn West, owned by the grandson of Holiday Inn founder, Kimmons Wilson.  He left Holiday Inn and went to work for Courtyard Marriott as Chief Engineer, retiring (for good) at age 70.

Al had two children, Anna and Al, Jr. with his first wife, Melva (Rodriguez) Comer, and one daughter, Rachel “Gigi”, with Mariette.

Al and Mariette celebrated forty years of marriage before pancreatic cancer stole her away from him in October 2017. After Mariette’s death, Al moved to Rome, Georgia with his daughter, Rachel, so she could care for him in his old age.

Al was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mariette; parents, Margaret Graham (nee Luby) and Alfred Robert Graham; and granddaughter, Lorraine Marie Graham.

Al is survived by his children, Anna Maria Luby (Patrick), Alfred James Graham, Jr. (Rosa), and Rachel Margaret Graham; and granddaughter, Melissa Margot Graham; and nieces, Debra Russell (Wesley), and Michelle Butt.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.

Floyd Felines
P.O. Box 2364, Rome GA 30164
Web: https://www.floydfelines.org/