Memorial

Rev: Bill Matthew's Officiating

Hymns:

Amazing Grace
Old Rugged Cross

As written and read by Daughter Joan Kanary

I would like to thank all of you for coming today to say goodbye to Graham. He would be very pleased to see all of you here.

Graham was a proud and hard working man his whole life. He worked for most of his life in the coal mines to support his family. He didn't go far in school, but he was an intelligent man who taught himself about cars and engines. This in turn led him to become one of the best and hardest working mechanics Devco ever had. Anyone who ever worked with him can attest to that. He in turn passed his knowledge down to his son Eric, who himself can fix just about any car problem you can think of.

Graham was never one to show how he felt. He wasn't one to give hugs or tell you he loved you, but he tried to show you in other ways. You could always call him for anything at anytime and he was always there for you. He was always doing things for his family, things like driving to Halifax on numerous occasions to move Chuck there or back home again. The time he gave Crystal his old car and insisted on driving it up to Woodstock for her. When my husband, Mike died, he made sure I knew I could call on him for anything, and I often did. Whenever I had trouble with the furnace or some other problem, I just had to pick up the phone and he would be there within minutes to take care of it for me.

He loved mom with all his heart and they were together for about 40 years. People didn't think their relationship would last because of the age difference, but they proved them wrong. He loved her just as much at the end as he did in the beginning. That's a rare and precious love in this day and age.

He accepted us as we were and was proud of our accomplishments and our children ( his grandchildren ). Some of his proudest moments were watching his grandchildren graduate and he got to see all six of them do this. He was also very proud when Maureen became a nurse, always beamed with pride when Eric did a good job fixing someone's car, proud when Chuck did so well in his computer courses, and proud whenever he could talk me into playing the guitar for him.

Graham was a good friend to many people. A lot of whom are here today. He valued their friendship and they his. You always knew where you stood with him. He spoke his mind and called a spade a spade, and there was no changing his mind, even if you could see it was clearly a club. But that was him.

Graham like nothing better than being up in Grand Mira. (God's Country he would call it.) He loved the country his whole life, a love he got from his mother I guess. For as long as I can remember, whenever he was on vacation he would pack us all up and head for the country. He started out with an old army tent, moved up to a tent trailer, then finally buying his land in Upper Grand Mira North and building a place there. It made his day when family and friends would drop by for a visit. It was only fitting I guess, that he passed away there. That's the way he said he wished he would go when his time came, and he was granted that wish.

In closing, I just want to say Thank You Graham, for being who you were, and caring for us. Our lives are much enriched because of you. You will never be forgotten and will always hold a special place in our hearts.