A retired Inverness policeman who was known as a “great boss” who motivated his team died earlier this month.
John Graham was 78-years-old when he passed peacefully on Thursday, October 4 surrounded by his family at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
The beloved husband, father and grandfather leaves behind his partner Sheila of 54 years, children Morna and Iain, children-in-law Tom and Marlene, and grandchildren Rowan and Euan.
Mr Graham served in the police in Inverness and Skye and progressed through the ranks to become an inspector.
After joining Inverness County Police as a cadet in 1954, Mr Graham would become a constable in 1959 and was shortly after transferred to Portree where he would remain until 1963.
Mr Graham, who was born and brought up in Ardersier, relocated again in 1963 after being transferred back to the Highland capital.
During his stint on Skye, Mr Graham would meet his wife Sheila with whom he would marry in 1964 at Ness Bank Church in Inverness. Mrs Graham joined her husband in Inverness where children Morna and Iain were born.
Mrs Graham said: “John was very much a family man. He was much loved by us all and he was very proud of his children and grandchildren.”
Mr Graham was appointed detective constable in 1971 before progressing to becoming detective sergeant in 1974. Well-liked by his peers, Mr Graham served in the police force right up until his retirement in 1991.
He and Mrs Graham relocated to Toriphichen near Bathgate in 2009, in order to be closer to their family.
Retired police officer and former colleague Dave Conner said: “He was a really good bloke.
“He was a great boss. Nothing ever flapped him; he was always calm and cool and let you get on with it but was there if you needed advice.
“John was a great administrator. He was hard but fair and really motivated people. I was very sorry to hear of his loss.”
A keen bowler, Mr Graham also served as the president of Fraser Park Bowling Club on MacEwen Drive in Inverness in 1995 and this interest continued as he joined the local Probus Club in Bathgate following his and Mrs Graham’s relocation.
Friends described Mr Graham as a “man of integrity” and said that he possessed “a very keen sense of humour.”
His funeral was held earlier this month at Toriphichen Kirk on Friday October 12.