Obituary of John GRAHAM

JOHN GRAHAM Peacefully but unexpectedly, and surrounded by his family, John passed away at St. Boniface Hospital the evening of August 2, 2008 at the age of 75. John was a man of great intellect and personal integrity, with a wide range of talents and interests both practical and artistic. He possessed creative ingenuity and a limitless capacity for acquiring knowledge. John was a gifted writer who began his career at Foster Advertising and went on to become the Creative Services Director of the Great West Life Assurance Company, retiring in 1991. With his special gift for creative design, John also founded his own company, Graham Productions, designing and building unique awards and art installations for corporations and charitable organizations across Canada. He was especially proud of the recognition awards he was commissioned to create by the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, the recipients of which included Pope John Paul II, Sir Edmund Hillary, HRH Prince Philip and Dr. Jonas Salk. A master fine-woodworker, John also built musical instruments, including an exquisite baroque harpsichord, as well as original pieces of fine furniture remarkable for their complex design and craftsmanship. A loving, generous, and infinitely thoughtful family man, John savoured the beautiful things in life: fine art, travel, classical music, good design, walks in the park with his beloved Joy, and sharing fine meals and happy times with his friends and family. He is loved and will be missed more than he could ever imagine. John leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Joyce, loving daughter Carol Sawney and close friend and son-in-law David Sawney, loving daughter Patricia Lavergne and treasured grandchildren Janice and Madeline Lavergne. John is also survived by his brother Bob (Joan) and his sister Joan Valente (Carmine), numerous cousins, brothers-and-sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many good friends. He was predeceased by his parents John and Eugenie and younger brother Fred. Funeral Service in celebration of John's life will be held on Monday, August 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Interment to follow in Holy Ghost Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John's nephews Raymond Molinski, David Molinski, Michael Molinski, John Braico, Tony Balaz and David Marshall. Donations in John's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the Cardiac and Intensive Care Units at St. Boniface Hospital for their exceptional and dedicated care and support. A book of condolences may be signed at www.cropo.com. I Will Love You By Patricia Livingston When you have become my heart, When you have become my wild, wild joy, When you have become my tears, Then I will love you. When, after so long, we have wandered through each other's lives, Then I will love you; And when I am old will be half you, half me. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044