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Reginald Ernest Graham was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan on January 20, 1940 to parents Ethel and Clifford Graham. The family moved to Sheridan, Manitoba where Clifford was employed in a mine. On May 25, 1949 Clifford lost his life in a mining accident. Following the loss of Clifford the family moved to Chelan where Ethel had family. On November 16, 1950 Ethel married Gordon Smith. Dad always honored his dad and shared stories of his nine years with him but also had a very strong bond with Gordon who was dad to him as well.
Dad always had an interest in anything mechanical. When he was young his mom had received an alarm clock as a gift, which dad took apart one day and made a vehicle that would run across the floor. Dad often spent his lunch hours and time after school at Lyle Ramstead’s garage in Chelan and had a lifelong friendship with Lyle.
Dad did not return to school after grade nine. At one point he helped his Uncle Harold Graham around his garage. The summer that dad was 16 he went on a trip with his uncle and aunt to Chatham, Ontario to visit his Uncle Tom and Aunty Winnie. Tom worked for H.S. Pook who owned a car dealership in Chatham. Mr. Pook took a shine to dad and offered him a job. It was through this job that dad received much of his automotive training.
In the years Dad was in Ontario he faithfully wrote to his family every week. He missed home and returned back to Chelan in 1959. Dad met the love of his life Gayle Rounce after he came home. They married on November 30, 1960. Together they have four children Candice, Corrine, Christine and Gordon. Dad also has a daughter Susanne from a relationship prior to meeting mom.
Dad and Mom stayed in the area throughout their marriage. Dad worked for Lyle Ramstead in the garage. He worked for his Uncle Harold in his garage. Dad also worked at Northern Auto Parts in Melfort. Dad and Mom had a bulk fuel business in Weekes for a while. Dad and Mom bought a farm across from Grandpa and Grandma Smith, Dad and Grandpa had school buses together. Dad and Mom bought Graham’s Esso Service from his uncle and moved into Porcupine the summer of 1972. Dad worked with Mr. Jaques at Jaques Funeral Home. The garage was sold and they bought the Funeral Home in 1977. After a year they sold the business and Dad began working in the maintenance department at the hospital and nursing home in Porcupine, where he remained until his retirement. In his retirement Dad spent many hours out at the Biro farm helping with farming and of course fixing a variety of equipment. He also helped all of his children, grandchildren and many others using his many talents to fix or create things that were needed.
Dad was an active member of his community. He was a member of the Lion’s Club and served on town council for many years. In his younger years he was an avid curler and enjoyed hunting. Dad and Mom took their children on many holidays, they travelled with us across Canada and into the United States. Those trips created many memories that his family holds dear. The highlight was a trip to Disney Land and into Mexico. They continued to travel with their grandchildren taking them on various trips in Canada and into the States.
Dad loved watching his grandchildren grow and attended many of the things that his grandchildren were involved in. He also took great joy in being part of his great grandchildren’s lives. Every time he saw the great grandchildren he always slipped them some treat money.
Dad’s family was everything to him. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. We all felt blessed that he was able to attend the weddings of his granddaughter Cassidy and her husband Shaun in November and of his grandson Morgan and his wife Alyssa on December 31, 2016.
Dad had a crazy sense of humor, sometimes he would make you laugh like crazy, other times he would have you rolling your eyes and other times you would turn beet red. He never lost his sense of humor. He joked with his family, his nurses and his doctors. You truly never knew what he was going to say.
During his illness Dad made sure that we all knew how much he loved us, there were many hugs, kisses and I love you was spoken thousands of times. We also made sure that dad knew how much we love him and how much he means to each one of us.
There are many stories that have been shared with his family of things that dad did for others that he never talked about which speaks to the humility that he had. We could not be more proud and honored to be his family.
Dad leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 56 years Gayle. Daughter Susanne Maus and husband Dave Mack. Daughter Candice and her children Amanda (Chad) Bohachewski and their children Bodhi and Becka, Randi Biro (Cole Ross) and their children Layla and Julia, Kelsey Biro (Brad Gauthier), Joshua Biro and their father Marty Biro. Corrine (Mitch) Empey and their children Morgan (Alyssa) Empey and Cassidy(Shaun) Berscheid, Christine Graham(Allan Parr) and their children Brittney Pashulka (Keenen Frank), Kody Pashulka (Amy Chase), Taylor Parr (Logan Holder) and son Emmett, Ryan Parr (Alexis Bristow), Keyauna Parr and Dalyn Parr. Son Gordon Graham and wife Tamara Mezzo and children Bennett Graham and Samuel Graham. Reg’s sisters Marjorie (Carl) Miller, Evelyn (Lyle) Smith, Frances (John) MacBride and Jackie Stadnek. Brother in laws Harvey (Wendy) Rounce, Randy (Diane) Rounce and Eric (Toni) Rounce. As well as many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
Dad was predeceased by his father Clifford Graham, his mother Ethel Smith, his father Gordon Smith, his granddaughter Martina Isabella Biro, mother in law Ann Rounce, father in law Kenneth “Dale” Rounce, brother in law Eric Stadnek. and niece Tracy Findlay.