We Remember
Graham, Ernest Lorne
January 1, 1970 — January 1, 1970
Dad passed away August 11, 2012 at the Kelowna General Hospital in Kelowna, BC with family at his side. He is survived by his children: Murray Graham, Myles Graham, and Michele Goebel; his grandchildren: Chet Graham, LexAnn Graham, Gabriel Graham, Luke Graham, Amber Goebel, Kyle Goebel; great grandchildren Venessa Marie Katerelos, Lee Nelson Graham. His is predeceased by his wife Donnie, father Lou, mother Amelia Maude, brother Homer, sister Ony and nephew Larry. Dad was born in Carman, Manitoba on November 22, 1927. He was the third child of Lou and Maude Graham. He grew up in Myrtle, Manitoba, graduating high school in 1944. He joined the CNR in 1944 working in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario as an agent/telegrapher. He resigned from the railway in 1969 after 25 years. In 1951, he married Donald Jean Orr, the love of his life. They lived in Manitoba until settling in the Yorkton, Saskatchewan area in 1956. In 1957, they purchased the Dairy Queen in Yorkton, operating it until their retirement in 1987. In 1996, they took up permanent residence in Kelowna, BC.
While living in Yorkton, Dad was an active Free Mason, rising to Master of the Lodge #116. He was the President of the Parkland Lions Club and the Shrine Club, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Dad served as an executive of the Yorkton Terriers of the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League. While in Kelowna, dad continued his volunteerism with the Salvation Army and the Good Time Entertainers.
Dad had a broad spectrum of interests, hobbies and passions. Music was an integral part of his life, beginning at the piano which his mother taught him to play. He taught himself how to play the saxophone, banjo and ukulele. He performed with family, friends and sang with a Barbershop Quartet. Until his death, he performed with the Good Time Entertainers of Kelowna. Dad love dance and whistle, and never passed up a chance to do either.
He also had a life-long interest in aviation. If given the opportunity to; fly in any type of aircraft, visit an aviation museum or attend an air show he would take it. This passion led him to flying radio-controlled model airplanes which gave him many hours of camaraderie and enjoyment.
Throughout his life, participated in his family’s lives giving in valuable encouragement and support. His influence on family and friends was immense. He was a person who people could and did turn to in time of joy, sorrow and need. Dad was a man of intense integrity, honesty and commitment who aspired to live his life by the Golden Rule. A Memorial, period of meditation and reflection to be held for Lorne and Donnie at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 10:00 am. Dress is summer casual. Light lunch will be served. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to BC Heart & Stroke Foundation, #4 – 1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9 or Alzheimer Society of BC, 865 Bernard Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 6P6.
Service
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 10:00 am
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
BC Heart & Stroke Foundation, #4 – 1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 9M9 or Alzheimer Society of BC, 865 Bernard Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 6P6
Service Information
Service Details
The service for Graham, Ernest Lorne is scheduled for Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 10:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Murray, Michelle and Myles, and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this time of sorrow. We had many special times with your Mom and Dad, and we will cherish the wonderful memories.
With sincere sympathy, Bill and Carolyn Ruehlen
My thoughts & prayers are with you. your Mom&Dad were a wonderful couple,I’ve had alot of fun with them. My Sincere Sympathy. They will be greatly missed. Lillian Morin
I sure do remember your Mom and Dad at the Dairy Queen in Yorkton. That is where we used to hang out in our teens.Thoughts and prayers at this time, losing both your Mom and Dad so close together
Maureen McVicar Koenig
Cindolence to your families.
We new both as our daughter’s first job wasat the Dairy Qqueen.The EElliott’s.
Hi Murray, Myles and Michelle. I also grew up in Myrtle, MB. and knew your mom and dad. The Phillips family was very close to the Grahams. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Take care of one another and hold on to precious memories.
Our symapthy go to the Graham family on the loss of your love ones.
May they rest in peace and God bless you all.
I was very sorry to hear of the tragic loss of Lorne and Donnie. They have been ever present in my life while growing up and throughout my adult life we have kept in touch and visited a great deal. I will miss them both tremendously. My thoughts and prayers are with you all through this difficult time.
My deepest condolences on the passing of Lorne and Donnie. They were a big part of my years in Yorkton and were great friends of my late parents, Glenn & Eileen Thorpe. May your cherished memories bring you comfort, your parents were a wonderful couple who will be missed by many.
Tribute to Lorne and Donnie Graham.
This is a reflection of two of the most wonderful people that I have ever had the pleasure of calling my friends.
In 1975 I began working for Bingham const. and my first project was renovating the Dairy Queen in Yorkton. Lorne and Donnie owned and operated the D.Q. What I found most impressive was the respect and appreciation the showed to everyone who worked on their building. It didn’t matter how big or small your part was, they made you feel as though what you did made a difference. If I show any kind of generosity to others it is largely because of their examples.
It wasn’t long before Lorne figured out what my weakness was………it was ice cream. From that time onward, when I came into work, there was an apple turnover in the warming oven and he showed me how to turn on the soft ice cream machine. Even though we had the place turned upside down, I was always greeted with my treats.
When Lorne would come in for the day he would ask, “Do we have a major crisis?” He seemed to thrive on working out problems and it was always with a smile and a joke or two. In all the years I knew them, they never seemed to get frustrated or upset. It was little wonder that all the workers would gladly do anything for them without hesitation.
When we were finished their renovation, I went into business for myself and it wasn’t long before Grahams had another adventure. They opened the Shortstop Luncheonette in the Parkland Mall and I did the work for them. Each day after the lunch hour, Lorne would bring his one of a kind wooden handle hammer and we would spend the afternoon building whatever had to be done. There was always plenty of good natured ribbing from both sides. He would kid me about using bent nails and I would call him a “Soda Jerk in training.”
They later opened the “Faire and Flagon” in the Mall and built a garage at their house so they gave me a lot of work and many fond memories, and of course did I mention ice cream.
When they retired and moved to Kelowna, we lost touch for a number of years. It was a couple of years ago when I decided to build our Clock Tower that I tracked them down and put the Graham family crest up where it now rests in place.
In July 2011, Lorne and Donnie came to see the Tower and we went out for lunch. It was so good to visit with them. When I told them how I remembered him leaving the apple turnovers for me in the warming oven he just laughed and said, “I always wondered where those turnovers disappeared to.”
I am certain that whoever knew the Grahams have many fond memories and stories that make us smile and are thankful for having known them.
Their family can be very proud of their heritage and the legacy their parents have left behind. They have had such a positive influence on many of us that knew them, and for that we are thankful.
This is the Clock tower with the Graham Family Crest
Hi Lorne Graham and Donnie Graham are my Grandparents I was wondering we’re that clock tower is i would love to visit it and see our family crest ? Thank you for your condolences , not a day goes by that I don’t think of my grandparents and all our found memories growing up .
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom and dad. They were great people and great bosses. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you at this difficult time.
Just thought I’d look to see what had become of Mr & Mrs Graham. My first job was working for them at the Dairy Queen in Yorkton until my return to England at the end of 1968. They were good bosses and I remember my days working for them with fondness. I visit Yorkton every two years and we always stop off at the DQ for an ice cream or two!