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Jack Robert Graham
March 5, 1924 - May 12, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">GRAHAM, Jack Robert <br> March 5, 1924 - May 12, 2016 <br>It is with heavy hearts we announce the death of our Father Jack, on Thursday afternoon, with daughter Jackie by his side. Predeceased by our Mom, Catherine Mary in 2006. His parents Dorothy (1952) and John (1968), and sister Dorothy. Survived by daughter Jackie, son Robert (Lee), daughter Cheryl Gilpin (Verne), grandchildren Jason, Ryan, Robyn, Alexis and Amanda. Great Grandchildren Kye, Olyn and Ava. His cat Ossie, and 3 hens (Clara, Carla, and Connie). <br>Dad was born in a little house on Denman Street in downtown Victoria, to parents newly settled to Victoria from the East End of London. He spent his growing up years on Whittier Avenue and attended Tolmie school, where he was known as one of the original "Saanich Boys". Dad had wonderful memories of growing up in the early days of Victoria including standing on the street corner of Yates and Douglas selling newspapers, riding his bike out to Thetis lake to swim, seeing the King and Queen drive by on their visit to Victoria in 1939, and dancing at the Crystal Garden with our mom. Dad went off to serve in the navy in WW2 on the 'triangle run' convoy duty on the North Atlantic in early 1943, right through to VE day. He learned many lessons while away at war that served him well throughout his life and began his love of anything that could float. Dad arrived home after the war and got right to it, running heavy equipment for Reg Antrobus as the first large shovel operator in Victoria (he dug the basement of the Strathcona hotel, as well as many other buildings) they say that Dad was so skilled at running that big machine that "he could scratch a man’s back"... He married our Mom Mary in 1951, and built his dream home (the House that Jack built) on Sooke Road in Colwood without the aid of power tools. In 1960 he went commercial fishing and spent 20 years up and down the West Coast in his little troller - The "Louvel". During the winter months when there was no fishing, he supplemented his income by working at Yarrows as a Rigger. In 1980 he sold the Louvel and began his dream of creating a fishing resort out of a rundown fish camp in Bamfield. Dad spent the next 10 years making all kinds of improvements to Seabeam fishing lodge, including 600 foot of wharf and a 5 acre campsite. Selling the property finally to retire and while away his days on his ex-forestry boat the "Dean Ranger", where he and mom had all sorts of grand adventures joining other ex-forestry boats for reunions in hidden harbours all over the coast. <br>Our Dad was a man's man, and had no time for someone who didn't put in an honest day labour to support his family. He believed in the value of a handshake, and that anything could be achieved with hard work and determination. He finished his education in grade 8, (I learned all I needed, no point wasting anymore time!). He instilled in all of us to respect what Canada's veterans did for this country as well as the world. He enjoyed meeting several cousins in England late in life, and enjoyed a couple of trips to see where his parents had come from. He loved nature, and all animals especially cats, chickens and deer. Animals sensed this and he always had someone looking for his lap, or a scratch behind the ear. He will be dearly missed and the world has lost a great man. <br>Special thanks to the nurses and care staff at Broadmead Lodge, who are truly angels in comfortable shoes. Veterans Affairs Canada, through their generous program, Dad was able to live independently in his little house on Sooke road for that much longer. Thanks to the numerous friends and neighbours who looked in on Dad to ensure he was ok, and would help at a moment’s notice. <br>Funeral will be held on Thursday, May 19th at 1pm at Sands Funeral Chapel Colwood. 317 Goldstream Ave. followed by refreshments. <br>In lieu of flowers donations in Dads memory can be made to Cat's Cradle animal rescue, or to the SPCA. <br></div>