Graham H. Whitney

Graham Hamilton Whitney, 68, of Norwalk, CT passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026 with his loving family by his side. He was born on February 20, 1958, in New York, NY, and was the son of Ernest L. and Mary C. Whitney.

Graham spent his childhood and adolescent years in Greenwich, CT, and Lake Forest, IL. As a teenager, he returned to Southport, CT, where he graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1976. Graham’s athletic career spanned from junior high to high school, where he competed in football, basketball, and track. He attended Nasson College in Springvale, ME, where he studied communications.

On his 29th birthday in 1987, Graham met the love of his life, Angela Kirby. They were married in 1991 and recently celebrated 35 years of marriage.

Graham brought warmth and a welcoming presence to everyone he met throughout his long career. A familiar face to so many, he spent 19 years working at Hay Day in Greenwich and Westport, and went on to dedicate another 24 years to Spic & Span Market in Southport before his well-earned retirement in 2025.

Graham’s deep dedication to his favorite band, The Grateful Dead, earned him a vast network of lasting friendships within the community. From the 1970s until Jerry Garcia’s passing in 1995, he followed the band across the country, attending more than 50 shows. His passion never waned; he proudly passed the torch to the next generation by introducing his daughter to the band’s modern iteration, Dead & Company. Back home, Graham curated a serene basement haven where his massive collection of live recordings and videos kept family and friends entertained. He was a musical mentor to many, introducing countless people to the music he loved so dearly. While The Grateful Dead held a special place in his heart, Graham’s appreciation for music spanned all genres, and he spent many nights rocking out with his family to artists like U2, Phish, The Allman Brothers, Carlos Santana, and many others. When he wasn’t rocking out at home, he loved listening to live music at local venues and restaurants in the community.

He was a dedicated sports fan who closely followed his beloved New York Giants and New York Knicks. Beyond sports, Graham treasured simple days at the beach with his wife and daughter. He loved swimming in the Long Island Sound, staying in the water for as long as it remained warm enough—which, in recent years, meant his beach season often lasted well into October. Ultimately, Graham will be remembered for his overwhelming friendliness, his infectious passion for music, and his unwavering love and devotion to his family.

Graham is survived by his wife, Angela Whitney, his daughter, Liz (Whitney) O’Brien, and his son-in-law, Brody O’Brien. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest L. and Mary C. Whitney.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Raymond Funeral Home, 5 E Wall Street, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Graham spent his life sharing his love of music; in his memory, donations can be made to the Rex Foundation or the Jerry Garcia Foundation to help keep his passion for music alive for others.