Michael A. Graham,70

Now there is a bit less music, laughter, tall tales, some true, and good times because of the lost of a really great guy!

Michael (Mike) Arthur Graham, 70, passed away quietly in his home in Mesa, Arizona on Sunday, September 13, 2020. He will be buried next to his wife, Sandra at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday, September 25, 2020. A celebration of life memorial is planned for Saturday, May 15, 2021 COVID permitting.

Michael was born to Arthur and Joan (Martin) Graham of Tupper Lake on May 18, 1950. He was one of the founding members of the local rock and roll band, “The Penthouse Sweet”, with other teenage boys from town. In a flash they became wildly popular in the town, the nearby communities, and in Northern New York.

“The Penthouse Sweet” played danceable jazzy rock and roll music popular in the day. “The Sweet” did not bring rock and roll to Tupper and the Adirondacks but they exploded it onto the scene. “The Sweet”, Michael, and other boys in the band gained instantaneous popularity. In the blink of an eye Michael went from being “out,” not being in the “in crowd”, The Jocks and flashing unruly kids in the State Theater with a flashlight to loads of back-talking to becoming one of the coolest kids in town as one of the front men for “The Sweet” on stage.

It can be strongly argued that “The Penthouse Sweet” was the most popular thing to ever happen to Tupper Lake even more so than Big Tupper Ski Area. Their popularity happened so more quickly and encapsulated almost every teenager and young adult, and yes, some adults too from town and beyond. With all of these large active gatherings of young people, even some with the availability of alcohol, it is remarkably difficult to think of any conflicts that attracted law enforcement.

Even last-minute band performances were well attended by a few hundred kids and were held at the teen center, “The Penthouse Sweet”, of which Michael was the proprietor.

Michael enlisted in the United States Air Force in the spring of 1970 and was stationed at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, in Tucson Arizona, as a Ballistic Missile Analyst Technician.

He fell in love with the Arizona climate during his service years and moved to Mesa, Arizona where he resided for the past 47 years. He married Sandra Denise Force on February 14, 1988. Sandra died of breast cancer in April 1993. Although Michael never re-married, he enjoyed sharing his life with long-time partner, Carol Murphy (Gilbert, AZ) for the past 26 years.

Michael loved making music and camping on “the property” near Pinedale in the Mogollon Rim of Arizona. He also loved his time in the band and talking about “the good old days.” Michael’s knowledge of television and music trivia was legendary.

A great many people will remember Michael as the happy-go-lucky friend, with an infectious laugh, who always enjoyed meeting friends, old and new. He would effortlessly gather everyone near him, make a plan, and have another GOOD time.

Mike, how can we ever say thank you enough? We raise a cold brewski to you, our dearest friend!

Chuckoo, perform your magic up in Heaven and you will make it a happier place.

-submitted by Patrick M. Quinn

quinnpm69@msn.com