Gary James Graham, 50, of 124 Fifth St. W., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1997.
He was born Sept. 24, 1947 in Port Arthur, Ont. to Percy and Doris Graham. Gary received his education and grew up in Thunder Bay, and later worked for several years at the Provincial Mill and Palm Dairies. On Aug. 8, 1970, he was united in marriage to Diane Olinyk, and in 1972 moved to Rainy River, Ont.
Gary enjoyed refereeing minor hockey and high school hockey, and also umpiring baseball. He also worked many years as a volunteer for the fire department and ambulance, town councillor for four years, and as a Customs officer at Canada Customs.
In 1984, the family moved to Fort Frances, where he continued his enjoyment of umpiring baseball, and where he was promoted to the position of Canada Customs Superintendent.
Gary also was an associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29 in Fort Frances, and especially enjoyed fishing with family and friends at Sowdon.
He was predeceased by his father, Percy Graham; and one sister, Lynn Andru.
Gary is survived by his wife, Diane Graham, and two sons, Michael and Gregory Graham, all of Fort Frances, Ont.; his mother, Doris Graham of Brantford, Ont.; two brothers, Bryan Graham and wife, Evelyn, of Mississauga, Ont., and Chris Graham of Brantford, Ont.; one sister, Catherine and husband, Brian Coombs, of Brantford, Ont.; one brother-in-law, Terry Olinyk, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mike and Beatrice Olinyk, of Rainy River, Ont.; numerous nieces and nephews; and by his best friend, B.B.
A memorial service was held Monday, Oct. 6, 1997 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev. Garth Clifford officiating. The Canada Customs Honour Guard provided their tribute during the service.
Honourary pallbearers were Murray Fairnington, Doug Wilson, Bob Green, Dave Montgomery, Glen Treftlin, and Don Baldwin.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.