Joseph J. Graham, 96, of Colorado, formerly of Boothbay Harbor, died June 29, 2018 with his family close by.

He was born in 1921 in Ironwood, Michigan. After serving three years in the army during World War II, he returned to complete his B.S., M.A., at the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. at the Toronto University.

His work in marine science took him to the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. He and his family moved to Boothbay Harbor, Maine in 1961, where he was a research scientist at the National Marine Fisheries Lab until it closed in 1972. He was an active member of the community helping with Boothbay Region High School activities and participating in community projects. He retired as the acting director of the state of Maine Marine Fisheries Lab at McKown Point in 1987.

He and his wife, Marge, retired to Colorado in 1989 where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, the Celtic Society and singing with his church choir.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, five children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sister Dorothy Peterson of Youngtown, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church, Grand Junction, Colorado in September.