Graham DICKENS

DICKENS, Frank Graham - Age 66, of Farmington Hills formerly of Fenton and Leigh-on-Sea, England, died Monday, December 7, 2009 at Providence Park Hospital, Novi after a lengthy battle with Mesothelioma. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, December 14, 2009 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Road, Fenton, with the Reverend Joshua Hoover officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Monday from 12:00 PM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to the International Mesothelioma Program - Brigham and Women's Hospital, Attn: Dr. David Sugarbaker, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115. Graham was born in Chester, England August 19, 1943 the son of Frank Pogson Dickens and Nancy Graham. A distant relative of Charles Dickens, Graham felt a great pride of heritage. After working briefly in Charleston, SC, Graham secured a position with the architectural company of Minoru Yamasaki and Associates in Troy, MI where he joined the design team working on the World Trade Center. He worked on many significant projects across the globe including Century City Los Angeles, The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency in Riyadh, and the Jeddah Airport. Subsequently he worked for the interior design firm of Ford and Earl in Warren, MI and later Smith Hinchman and Grylls, Contract Interiors and Workplace Integrators. Recently he returned to Yamasaki and Associates to work on The Education Center in Doha Qatar. He was also a member and former president of the AIA of Michigan. Graham had a deep appreciation for architecture, the arts and classics which he loved to share with his family and friends. He was an avid sailor who loved the water and spending time with his family at his home on Kelleys Island, Ohio. He is survived by his wife Sandy; daughters, Tara Wakeham and husband Dave, Kirsty Rising and husband Troy; their mother Elizabeth Dickens; grandchildren Lily, Elliot, Ella and Elizabeth; and special friends Katie Field and Ron Ehrbar. He was preceded in death by his parents; and parents-in-law, Raymond and Gizella Feyedelem. Tributes and condolences may be shared at the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. His lust for life and his gentle spirit will be greatly missed.

Visitation

Monday, December 14, 2009 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Fenton Chapel
1000 Silver Lake Road Fenton 48430, United States