Charles L. Graham

Charles L. Graham, age 71, of Erie, PA, passed on to the other side on March 18 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Born in North Tonawanda, NY, his family relocated to the Erie area in his early childhood. They were a music-loving family who often gathered around the piano to sing church hymns and other old-time ditties.

He attended General McLane High School in Edinboro, where he played football, wrestled, and sang in the choir. He was also a talented trombonist.

After high school he worked as a boilermaker, a union roofer, and a union laborer, but as he would tell you, his life truly began on May 15, 1986. That’s the day he found sobriety and started his life anew. From that day forward, Alcoholics Anonymous was the bedrock of his life, and he never looked back.

Shortly after finding sobriety, he started his own business — Chuck Graham Roofing — and found quick success thanks to his strong work ethic, his honesty, and his meticulous attention to detail. While running his roofing business, he also started buying and renovating rental properties around the city of Erie. He would often help out friends and family in need, renting his apartments at well below market value.

He loved to escape the Erie winters and travel to warm locales. One of his favorite things to do was to take his family members with him. He made sure everyone got a turn, travelling to Hawaii, Cancun, Florida, and Caribbean cruises. He tried to get one final Caribbean cruise with his daughter Molly shortly after his cancer diagnosis, but sadly the disease progressed quickly and they had to cancel the trip.

His greatest passion, though, was AA, where he touched countless lives with his kindness, his generosity, and his steady presence. Even at the height of his illness, he made sure he brought three dozen donuts to his home group every week.

He also loved playing cards especially poker, cribbage, and gin rummy and spending time with his best friends at his hunting camp.

He will be greatly missed, but he will live on in the hearts of all those he touched over the years. As the Big Book says: “We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves”.

He was preceded in death by his mother Geraldine, his father John, his brother David, and his nephews Robert and Jeffrey Graham.

Charles is survived by his children: Molly Mello (Frank) of Erie, Brian Graham (Develyn) of Lawrence Park and Jonathan Graham of Erie; his sisters: Kathleen Allen of Ramona, CA, Margaret Fritz of Lyndell, PA and Mary Jean Graham of Girard; and a sister-in-law, Connie Graham of Dayton, OH. He’s further survived by his grandchildren, Dan Mello and Matthew Mello of Erie, Andrew Mello of Pittsburgh and Veronica Graham of Erie; 2 great grandchildren, Viola Mello and Nikolai Mello; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services Inc. Wintergreen, 2532 Norcross Rd., Erie, PA 16511 on Monday, March 23, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM.

Burial in Valley Cemetery in McKean.

Memorials may be made to Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195 or Alcoholics Anonymous, 1611 Peach St., Erie, PA 16501.

Leave condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com