Julian O. Peckham

NEWPORT - Julian O. Grass Peckham, 89, of Ellery Road, Newport, RI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Jean M. Cozzens Peckham. Born in Newport, RI on December 11, 1919, Julian was the son of Elton and Grace Peckham.Julian graduated from Rogers High School in 1938. He joined the US Navy in 1940 and proudly served his country for twenty years as a chief aviation structural mechanic while aboard the aircraft carriers USS Lake Champlain and USS Ticonderoga retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. Julian worked for the Newport School Department for twenty years retiring in 1981. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church; a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; a member of the Newport Lodge No. 104 BPO Elks; a member of the Fleet Reserve; and a member of the Newport Sportsmen Club. He used his beautiful tenor voice in the Civic Swanhurst Chorus, various Trigon performances and in the Newport Lions Club Gaslight Barbershop Quartet. His interests and hobbies included playing cribbage with his family and friends, completing crossword puzzles every day, following his beloved Red Sox and Celtics, showing his skill at pool, and listening to opera - La Boheme being his favorite. His passion for playing golf was a large part of his life. Julian was a member of Wanumetonomy Golf and Country Club for over 60 years, and was named an honorary member in January of 2009. His talent for making his own golf clubs was well known. He was very proud of his four holes-in-one, two of which were achieved within one week of each other.Julian had a very long and happy life filled with family, friends, music, and golf. He will be remembered most for his quick wit, his easy smile, his talent for telling a good joke, and always humming a tune or singing a song. Julian leaves his children Sandra E. Woodward of Ft. Myers, FL; Nancy Gleason and her husband Bruce of Union, ME, and Cynthia J. Peckham of Newport; his grandchildren Erika M. Scimeca, Amanda J. Stansell, Sarah E. Woodward, Joshua J. Woodward, Michael P. Hayes, and Emily E. Dutra; and his great grandchildren Bryant Scimeca, Nathanial Scimeca, and Teagan Stansell. Julian was predeceased by his brother Arthur Peckham of Bellingham, Washington, and twin brother Edward Jimmy Peckham of Union, ME. Uncle Grass also leaves many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Sunday, November 1, 2009 from 4-7 p.m. at Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Avenue in Newport with funeral services at First Presbyterian Church, Broadway and Everett Street, in Newport on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11 am.Flowers are welcome and donations in Julians memory may be made to Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 169 George Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.