Harry Graham

Harry Graham died in July from catastrophic brain injury resulting from a fall. He was removed from life support on July 5, 2017. Harry was born in Santa Barbara on January 5, 1949. His parents, Howard and Martha Graham, were both life long residents of Santa Barbara and are now deceased.

Harry graduated from San Marcos High School in 1967. He joined the Marines immediately after graduation and served in Vietnam. He was injured in Nam and left the Marines after a long recovery, returning home to Santa Barbara.

Harry was drawn to the sea which began with his love of surfing. His memories of these days are recorded on the website “Harry Graham Remembers” at this link: goletasurfing.com. After returning from the war, he worked as a commercial fisherman and as a mate on tenders supplying the Channel oil rigs.

A “paddle out” from Goleta beach in memory of Harry’s sweet and gentle soul was held in August. Many friends participated. No formal funeral services were held.

He is survived by his daughter, Shilo Wasilko of Las Vegas and his gransons Nicco and Giani; by his siblings Gwen Kallman of Santa Barbara, Jim Graham of Nampa, Idaho, and Ann Graham Berry of Nanuet, New York; by his niece, Aimee Connell, and his nephews Daniel Graham, Matt Kallman and Michael Graham; and by his cousin, Judy Graham of Cairo, New York. He was predeceased by another brother, Jack Graham, who died in 1974.

Like so many of our veterans, Harry rarely chose to speak about his war experience although we bore witness to how deeply it affected him. Friends may donate in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Projec