Remembering an open-space pioneer
F.T. "Mike" Graham wasn't shy about his opinions.
That was especially true when it came to pursuing land for open space during his heyday as Libertyville Township supervisor and a Lake County Board member.
It was that land preservation work -- and his opinions -- that won Graham plenty of supporters and opponents during a feisty public service career that spanned parts of five decades.
Graham, 80, died Saturday at the Winchester House nursing home in Libertyville.
Public service career
Libertyville Township supervisor: 1969 to 1989 and 1997 to 2003.
He served 18 years in the dual capacity as a Lake County Board/forest preserve district representative.
Graham's legacy
Best known for creating the Libertyville Township Open Space District in 1985.
What they said
• "Personally, he was a real good friend of mine -- a real good friend. Everyone knows his heart and soul were open space. He lived and died for it."
-- John Matijevich, former state representative from North Chicago, who collaborated with Graham and sponsored the open-space legislation in Springfield.
• "My father always told me, if I can't say anything nice about a deceased person, don't say anything."
-- Patrick Connors, who with his wife clashed with Graham over unsuccessful attempts to seize the couple's land for the Libertyville Township Open Space District through condemnation proceedings.
• "There was a period of time he was so focused on acquiring land that he forgot the human element."
-- Andrea Moore of Libertyville, who served with Graham on the Lake County and forest preserve district boards in the 1980s.
• "I always said I'm glad Mike didn't choose auto racing as a career. If he did, he would have crashed into the wall on the first turn without taking his foot off the accelerator."
-- Larry Alkire, Libertyville Township board member in the 1980s when Graham's open-space crusade began taking shape.
• "Well, he was always working. He was always trying to figure out a way to get his opinion across. In many instances, he would take the controversial position to get his point across."
-- Robert Neal of Wadsworth, who served with Graham on the county and forest preserve boards when pro-development forces often tangled with open-space advocates more than 20 years ago.
Funeral arrangements
Visitation, 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Burnett Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. Prayers said there at 10:30 a.m. Thursday
Funeral Mass, 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Church, 121 E. Maple Ave., Libertyville. Interment to follow at Ascension Cemetery.