It is with great sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Joseph Allan Graham at the Grace Hospital on Friday, December 30, 2022 at the age of 82 years.

 

He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife and best friend Carolyn, his son Jim (Aleta) and stepchildren Doug Reid (Jane), Jennifer Fast (Arthur), and Jamie Reid. Joe will be sorely missed by his grandchildren Beth, Joseph, Nikolas (Olivia), Dan (Kaylee), Matt (Tara), Genelle (Krispen), Tegan, Brendan, Chris (Heather), Katie (Gerry), Brian (Emily), Ian (Tori), Andrew (Julia), Brianne (Brett), Devin and Jasmine, thirteen great grandchildren, his sister Susan Graham, and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents James and Kathleen Graham, his first wife Jane, his son Bobby, his daughter Linda and his sister Pippy Michener.

 

Joe was born to Jim and Kathleen Graham on June 29, 1940. He attended St. John Ravenscourt School and TCS in Port Hope, Ontario.

 

On graduation from TCS, he returned to Winnipeg and joined his father in business at Atlas Brush. Joe remained a presence at Atlas Graham Industries until his declining health prevented him from attending at the office. He made many innovative changes to the business and was always available to each of his employees. He took great pride in knowing each employee by name and would wish every employee a happy birthday every year.

 

Joe married Jane in 1963 and together they welcomed their 3 beautiful children Jim, Bobby and Linda. Throughout the course of their marriage Jane struggled with significant health issues that eventually claimed her life. Joe found love again with Carolyn, who became the centre of his universe and his reason for being, and together they shared life’s joys and sorrows for nearly 42 years.

 

Joe’s home was in Winnipeg, but his heart lived at the family camp in Lake of the Woods. His childhood weekends and summers were spent adventuring through Lake of the Woods with his siblings and cousins and his friends, most of whom Joe maintained for a lifetime. As Joe grew-up, his affection for the cabin grew with him. Joe was a past Commodore of RLWYC and remained a lifelong member. Joe and Carolyn also maintained a prolific social calendar, both throwing and attending a number of fine dinner parties across the lake. He remained close with his sisters and it was an almost daily ritual for Sue to come down the path for “pu pu’s” and cocktails while watching their favourite soap opera.

 

Joe was the epitome of a gentleman. Life was often not easy dealing with much illness and loss in his immediate family however he always saw the best in life and in the people around him. He will be remembered by Jim for his strength in the face of adversity and for being the calm, steady presence through many of life’s pitfalls including Jane and Linda’s illnesses. He was generous in spirit, had a warm and welcoming heart and made friends wherever he went. Quite simply, he was the family patriarch and we will miss him.

 

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations would be gratefully received by the Linda Joanne Graham Transplant Awareness Trust at the Winnipeg Foundation, 1350 - 1 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3.

 

Joe’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

 

A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Manitoba Club, 194 Broadway Avenue.