Harris James Gram

Harris James Gram, 88, a lawyer and CPA, died Friday, October 15, 2004, at his home in Grosse Pointe Farms.

Mr. Gram was active in the greater Detroit community throughout his life and a devoted fundraiser for the University of Michigan.

Born in Menominee, he was graduated from the University of Michigan and the Law School, where he met his first wife, Margaret Edwards, a graduate student in the School of Forestry; they married in 1942.

After working at Chrysler Corporation he served in the Army in World War II, reaching the rank of Major.

In 1947, he joined the firm known today as Deloitte and Touche. Mr. Gram led the firm through mergers and acquisitions to national and international scope, remaining involved throughout his retirement.

Mr. Gram served as president of both the Detroit Athletic Club and the Country Club of Detroit.

He was later married to Nancy Williams, former wife of the late Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams.

Throughout his life, Mr. Gram campaigned for the University of Michigan and the Law School, raising funds and encouraging students. He served on the boards of the Holden Foundation and the Rose Hill Center.

A champion handball player, he enjoyed swimming, tennis, skiing, reading, astronomy, and pursued a daily exercise program. Boats and life on the Great Lakes fascinated him, and he loved vacations at the Huron Mountain Club in the Upper Peninsula and at Mackinac Island.

He is survived by his second wife, Nancy Quirk Williams Gram, and five daughters and their families, Margaret and Henry King of New York City, Tina Gram of Somerville, Massachusetts, Marian and Paul Laughlin of Ann Arbor, Betsy and Scrub Calcutt of Traverse City, and Carol and Greg Davis of Baltimore, Maryland; 10 grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters.

Mr. Gram was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, Harris James Sr. and Ida, his brother, William, and two sisters, Janet Diedrich and Liz Lawton.

A memorial service was held October 23 at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church.

Donations in Mr. Gram's memory be made to Rose Hill Center, 5130 Rose Hill Blvd., Holly, Michigan 48442-9507.