Mark Graham — native Westporter, former radio personality, and noted softball player — died this week. He was 64.
His many friends mourn the loss of a larger-than-life personality. With his father, Red Graham, he owned WMMM and Minuteman Travel. Mark spent many years on air, when 1260 AM was Westport’s local station.
Mark Graham
He was a longtime “BOSS” figure. It stands for Boys of Summer Softball, a long-running Sunday morning game behind Town Hall. Mark always stood out, in his St. Louis Cardinals uniform.
He was familiar too at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, wearing his Cards jacket and a cowboy hat.
“Mark was a gentleman, someone whose company I always enjoyed,” says Alan Neigher. “His stories of Westport in the 1950s and ’60s were unmatched for detail, humor and irony.
Neigher also calls him “a kind and generous man.” His Graham Family Foundation helped numerous local charities, in arts, education, physical disabilities and sports. The fund was started by his parents, Red and Peggy.
Dick Kalt spoke often with Mark about the “challenges and fun” of running a radio station in town. Dick calls him “a warm and committed person, with a great sense of humor.”
Mark studied speech, dramatic arts and journalism at the University of Missouri. After working at various radio stations in New York and Connecticut, he spent 1987-97 as co-owner and operator of WMMM. In addition to broadcasting, he worked in sales, and as general manager.
The Cardinals connection came about when he was overnight news anchor at KMOX in St. Louis. He was heard in 44 states, and throughout Canada.
Radio played a part in Mark’s marriage too. He met his wife Angela while broadcasting from Saugatuck’s Festival Italiano. They were married in 1990.
In addition to his wife, Mark is survived by his son Harrison, who recently graduated from New York University.
Funeral services will be announced later. To leave an online condolence, click here.
Thanks Dan
Sent from my iPhone
Mark was such a kind and giving person, I met Mark early on as alter servers at Christ and Holy Trinity. Him and his family were a town institution between their Travel business in Sconsett Sq, his Time on WMMM AM and their presence at all town events.
We all should have Such a big heart and big smile.
Thanks Mark see you on the other side.
I got to know Mark when we served together on the Board of the Family Y during the planning and permitting for the building. Throughout that process Mark brought calm, and shared the insight and sensibility of a native Westporter. I last saw him a few months ago at Mahackeno on a tour of the camp reconstruction and building expansion. He was full of enthusiasm, and engaged me for some time in a discussion about the transformation at the Library, especially the media studios, which, given his background, he thought a wonderful innovation. Mark was a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. He will be missed.
Jose’s dream “to be a DJ on his own radio show!” came to fruition – because of Mark and WMMM – every Saturday morning for well over a year. A moment we cherish dearly and now, sadly, even more so. I’m heartsick.
Wonder how many folks know that the call letters: WMMM is an acronym for, “Westport’s Modern Minute Man.”?
Many fond memories of playing softball with Mark aka Otto on Sunday mornings; always in full Cardinals regalia. I will miss him. My heart aches for Angela and Harry. Sal (Duct Tape) Cassano