Mr. Lindsay Graham

MR. Lindsay Graham, who has died aged 76, was one of Newcastle’s leading and most highly respected businessmen.

He was one of the most prominent estate agents, valuers and auctioneers in County Down and was greatly admired for his integrity and professionalism.

He passed away peacefully in Belfast City Hospital on March 8, in the presence of his loving family.

Mr. Graham was born in Ballynahinch on May 27, 1936, to David and Freda Graham. The family, which also included two daughters, Beth and Jean, later moved to a house on the Shimna Road in Newcastle.

Tragedy struck the family when Mr. Graham’s father, who was a painter and decorator, died at the young age of 42. For a time Mr. Graham moved away to live with an aunt and uncle while he trained as an estate agent with the Belfast firm of Samuel Galbraith.

Mr. Graham returned to Newcastle and in 1957 began his own estate agency business which bears his name and which he built up through sheer hard work and determination, at the same time earning a deserved reputation for his courtesy and helpfulness.

He married his loving wife, Eunice in 1958 and was blessed with two children and, later, four grandchildren to whom he was devoted.

He was involved in the Boys’ Brigade for many years. He joined the 1st Slieve Donard Company as a boy and was a Brigade officer for 45 years, many of them as Company Captain. He also had a lifelong love of steam trains.

However, apart from work and family, the most important thing in Mr. Graham’s life was his Christian faith. He held Newcastle Presbyterian Church close to his heart. He was appointed an elder in 1960 and in the years that followed worked tirelessly for the good of the congregation.

He was also involved in the wider work of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, both at Presbytery and General Assembly levels. He served on several boards and committees and was a Co-Convenor of the Retired Ministers’ House Fund.

Newcastle Presbyterian Church was filled to capacity for the funeral service on Monday, March 11, which was conducted by the Very Rev. Ivan Patterson. The address was given by the Very Rev. Godfrey Brown, a lifelong friend and best man at Mr. Graham’s wedding. Interment was at Drumee Cemetery.

Mr. Graham is survived by his wife Eunice, son Keith, daughter Nicola, daughter-in-law Heidi, son-in-law David, grandchildren Cameron, Lindsay, Marcus and Jonathan, and sisters Mrs. Beth Aiken, Spa, and Mrs. Jean Crutchley, Ballymartin.