Graham Needham
December 19, 1929 - March 28, 2015
- Share:
Graham Needham
December 19, 1929 - March 28, 2015
Obituary
Graham Needham, 85, of Irvine, CA passed away on March 28, 2015. He was born December 19, 1929 in Leeds, England. He was the youngest of four siblings born to William and Lucy Needham.
Graham was made a Master Mason in England. He was made a Master Mason in California at the Redondo Lodge No. 328, F & AM of California, continuing his membership throughout his life.
Graham worked as a civil engineer and building contractor in England and Europe. He first came to California in 1977 to visit his niece, Christine. During this visit he met his future wife, Judy. He permanently immigrated to California in 1978, marrying Judy. He worked in the Palos Verdes Unified School District from 1978 and retired in the early 1990’s. Using his contractor experience, Graham built the home he and Judy lived in in San Pedro, CA. In 1995 they moved to Irvine, CA.
Graham spent much of his free time in the garage using his extensive tool collection fixing and building. Family members often asked for his advice. He was the ultimate handy man in his home.
Graham and Judy were married for 36 years. He enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends in England and the States and traveling to Europe and the South Pacific. He also enjoyed cooking and working on his computer.
Services are scheduled for April 11, 2015 at 1pm at the O’Connor Mortuary located at 25301 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Hills, CA 92653. For additional information call (949) 581-4300.
13 responses to Graham Needham
Desiree Paour says:
April 5, 2015
I remember Graham from when I was a little girl. Uncle Graham and Judy had a cat named Heidi. I loved that cat.Uncle Graham would show me all the neat tricks Heidi could do and he would fluff out her tail and call it a Christmas tree. Graham was always so warm and welcoming when I went to visit their house close to the ocean in San Pedro. He was a great man and he will be dearly missed. – Chrissy Ann (Cruz) Manthorpe
Linda Page says:
April 5, 2015
I have many good memories of my Uncle Graham, who played an important part in my life. When I was a baby he gave me a teddy-bear, which I still have, he used to bring me huge chocolate Easter eggs, he came to family Christmas parties, he helped me learn to drive a car. I and my parents, and later my daughters, were always happy to see him and to enjoy his interesting company. Kim and Zoë and I had a memorable Christmas visit to Graham and Judy in San Pedro in 1994 and were delighted to see them both here on visits to the UK on several occasions since then. When we last met up in September 2012, Graham was far from well. I was so pleased to spend some time with him and Judy again, and it was wonderful to see what good care Judy always took of Graham. Graham will be much missed, but will live on in our thoughts. Linda Page (née Needham)
Abbie Hartley says:
April 9, 2015
Best friend to my father, Brian, Uncle Graham was my godfather (Judy my godmother) and I couldn’t have asked for 2 better people. He was the most kind, loving and generous person. My father passed away when I was 4 years old and Graham and Judy have ensured that both myself and my mum have been extremely well looked after. We have visited Graham and Judy from the UK and as a little girl, they kindly took me to Disneyland which I thought was amazing. At their home in San Pedro, I remember Uncle Graham telling me that their gorgeous cat Heidi loved paper, so I always used to carry a magazine around with me so she would come and sit with me. Both Graham and Judy adored Heidi, she would sit on top of the television, in the plants and on top of the toilet which Graham used to find very amusing. On birthdays and Christmas, I would be sent the most enormous packages of clothes by Graham and Judy (I must have been he best dressed girl in town!) and Graham in particular wanted to buy me my first computer, which was extremely generous. The closeness between Graham and Judy was most obvious. It was clear that he adored her and she looked after him like a precious stone. The only area of conflict I ever saw between them was whether he was allowed sweetie treats which he so loved but we’re no good for him! We had the pleasure of a couple of visits from Graham and Judy in the last few years. I can’t say enough how I am so pleased they met my husband Alex and my little dog, Alfie. Needless to say it was love at first sight for Graham who loved Alfie to bits and vice versa. Graham was so loving and affectionate with him. Although it’s with sadness that he never met my new baby daughter, he did see pictures and Judy will meet her for both of them. Graham was a wonderful friend and godfather Judy and he will will be greatly missed. Lots of love Abbie xxx