Memories Chapel | Funerals Cremation Receptions
John Graham
In Memory of
John "Jack"
Graham
1926 - 2019
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Memories Chapel
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>

Obituary for John "Jack" Graham

John “Jack”, beloved husband of Marie, passed away at his residence, Dinsdale Personal Care Home on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

John “Jack” Hilton Webber Graham was the third child born to Mabel and Howard Graham in the family farm home at 23-11-23W in the Harding District on March 22, 1926. An older brother Ivan was born in 1912 and sister Alice in 1916.

He was called to military service in October 1944 and trained at Camp Borden, ON. He was discharged in 1945 and returned home to help on the family farm.

In 1950 he married Marie (nee Hooey), who had come to the area to teach and they worked the family farm that his grandfather Robert had begun in 1883. He always had a love for the land and made many improvements to the quality of the land and buildings. Conservation was important to Jack. The most rewarding aspects of farming were the building of a registered herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle and restoring the eroded hills.

Three children were born to Jack and Marie: Anna Ruth in 1952, Robin Lewis in 1954 and John Stephen in 1957. In 1964 Jack took a position with the Federal Farm Credit Corporation and he and the family moved to Portage la Prairie, and later to Brandon in 1982. Jack retired from the FCC in 1986 and worked part-time in related fields such as organic farm inspecting.

His interests and hobbies included sailing, skiing, playing bass fiddle in dance bands, with kids choir and the Brandon Community Orchestra, and most important, building and inventing. Jack’s volunteer activities included directorships in local and provincial Credit Union boards, and in later years, volunteer planner and builder at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum. Jack was a lifelong member of the United Church of Canada. Important aspects of Jack’s life were family, marriage and a desire to try to improve his surroundings and to leave the world a better place in which to live – helping and encouraging others to enjoy the surprises he discovered. Jack described himself as “willing to try the unknown”, and he was often heard to say, “What would happen if?”

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Marie; children Anna Ruth Avery (Bob Hamilton) and their children Sarah and Patrick; Robin (Carol James); Stephen (Beverly Reid) and their children Gregory (Kristina McKinnon) and their sons Hayden and Jakob, and Janet Elise (Garret Landry) and their three sons Zachary, Reese and Cooper; sister Alice and her daughter Lisa Dewar and family; nephew Phil; niece Linda and family; sister-in-law Helga Hooey and family; and many, many friends. Jack was predeceased by his brother Ivan and brother-in-law John Hooey.

The Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, 451 – 18th Street, Brandon. Rev. Craig Miller will officiate. A reception will follow in the church auditorium. Wearing tartans will be welcome. Private family interment will be held at a later date.

Donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Box 3, Group 520, RR#5, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y5 or to a charity of choice.
Share by: