Ted Graves

Ted Graves, 77, of Nashua, NH, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2018, at Community Hospice House following a courageous battle due to complications from diabetes. He was with his wife of 33 years, Joanne Graves, at the time of his death.

Mr. Graves was born May 14, 1941 in Toledo, OH, the son of Dorothy and Melvin Graves. He graduated from Toledo High School in 1959, and then went on to Dartmouth College on full scholarship, earning a degree in Economics. He was a member of the Dartmouth football team. Mr. Graves then earned an MBA as an Edward Tuck Scholar from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, and graduated with distinction.

Mr. Graves had a distinguished career in finance with Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard, MA, where he worked for 16 years. He was awarded both their Finance Excellence Award and Controller’s Excellence Award. After retiring from DEC, he worked for the Stanhope Group as a Financial Consultant in real estate and then for Elderhostel as a Senior Associate.

He was an active member of the The First Church, United Church of Christ in Nashua, NH, where he had the privilege of enjoying the many wonderful community concerts staged by the church. Music was one of his greatest passions in life. Raised on the jazz bands of the Midwest, he enjoyed the full breadth of music from Rock and Roll, Broadway musicals to Bach. He was an avid reader, and especially loved the poetry of Rilke and Frost. Mr. Graves treasured art, especially the Impressionists, and painted watercolors himself. He was also an enthusiastic Red Sox and Patriots fan.

Mr. Graves was an open and engaging person, and made friends wherever he went. He was witty, quick to laugh, and had a smile that could light up the room. He is survived by his wife, Joanne, his brothers Ross of Toledo, OH, and Kent of Girard, PA, his two sons from his previous wife Sandi Johnson, Christopher of Livermore, CA, and Jeremy and his wife Rachel of Grafton, MA, his grandchildren, Libby, Maggie, Alison and Jackson, and his stepdaughters, Gwendoyln Bikis of Oakland, CA, Katrina Black of Sandy, UT, and Melanie Bikis of Marion, MA.

Services for Mr. Graves will be held Saturday, May 19, at 11:00 am at the The First Church, 1 Concord Street, Nashua, NH. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH, or The Music Fund at The First Church.