From Pelican Island Audubon Executive Director Donna Halleran:
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that I inform you of the death of our colleague and dear friend, Graham Cox, who passed away peacefully with his family close by. Graham will be missed more than words can express. I have so many memories of his kindness; I am sure you do, too.
Graham was a real champion for the environment and believed in educating the youth and adults about the complexities of nature and human interaction. Quality of life was his mission for members of Indian River County as well as across the world. He was sincere in his understanding of communities that did not have the same resources and researched how he could improve it.
Graham would remind me, “ Poor communities are not poor because that is where they want to be.”
Pelican Island Audubon Society is a 501(c)(3) organization and our Tax Identification Number is 59-6197617.
Obituary from Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Sebastian, FL:
Graham Leonard Cox left his mark on this Earth with his kindness, humor, activism and inquiry. He passed away on October 29, 2024, at the age of 82 in Vero Beach, Florida, under the care of the VNA Hospice. His wife, Judith Cox, was by his side during his final week just as she had been for their entire marriage of nearly 56 years. Graham met a brief bout of cancer with grace and strength.
Graham was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife, Judith Cox; brother, Deryck Cox; brother-in-law, James (Peggy) Weimer; children, Christopher Cox and Karen (Joseph) Stabile; grandchildren, Cassandra (Michael) Skinner, Art Cox, Michael Stabile, Elise Stabile and Joshua Stabile; great grandchildren, Payten Skinner and Weston Skinner; and nephews Simon (Susan) Cox and David (Alix) Cox, plus their children, Matthew (Jenny) Cox, Olivia Cox, Amelia Cox, Eliza (David) Halliday and Louis Cox. Graham was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Lightfoot, in 2009, and his father, Charles Cox, in 1966.
Graham was born in Leeds, England, on August 21, 1942. As a student, he hiked the Yorkshire Dales and across Europe. He graduated from Sheffield University with a geography degree; and, in 1967, he emigrated from England to Rochester, NY, where he worked for the Gannett Newspapers and met the love of his life, Judy. At the time, both of them were reporters for the Rochester Times-Union. It was during this period that he became interested in writing about conservation issues and ultimately became the Times-Union’s first environmental reporter.
Graham never stopped learning: After moving from Rochester to Albany, NY, in 1978, he became increasingly self-educated about the challenges facing planet Earth. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in ecological economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 2003. His career took him from journalism, to environmental conservation, to economic development, and to environmental activism, which continued in his retirement. In fact, Graham never really retired; instead, he found new ways to contribute to his lifetime passion of doing good for people and the physical world around them.
Graham most enjoyed time at Lake George, watching Leeds soccer (football), reading, traveling abroad, hiking, sailing, skiing, solving complicated problems and spending time with his family. Graham and Judy saw the world together. Indeed, they were planning more trips when his time on this Earth was cut short. Their many trips included most European countries, as well as Russia, China, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Madagascar, Tanzania, Mexico, Belize, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile and the Galapagos Islands.
Graham’s adventure-bound and service-centered spirit will continue to inspire all who knew him.
A date for a memorial service is still to be determined.
Memorial contributions can be mailed in the name of Graham Cox to the Pelican Island Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1833, Vero Beach, FL 32961, Attn.: Audubon Advocates. Audubon Advocates is an educational program that combats nature deficit disorder in young people in grades 5-12. Graham dedicated his time and talents to assuring that disadvantaged students of Indian River County, Florida, could enroll and participate in this after-school program tuition-free.