William Alexander Graham
November 08, 1922 – April 30, 2020
Memorial Donation
Obituary for the Late William Alexander “Bill” Graham
Graham, William Alexander “Bill” – 97, passed away peacefully at Richmond Villa in St.
Peter’s, Cape Breton on the evening of April 30, 2020, with dedicated care from the loving staff.
It was the same date, 12 years earlier, that his beloved wife, Tena, passed.
Bill was born on November 8, 1922 in Judique, Nova Scotia. He was the eldest remaining of the
John Graham Scottish lineage that were some of the first Europeans to arrive in Judique, circa
1789. He met the beautiful Mary Christine “Tena” MacInnis via the Co-op where they were both
working, courted at dances and they were soon married in 1947. They spent 61 years together,
mostly in Judique, in a house on the hill between the church and the home of their best friends,
Dick and Tess Cotton. They carried on the Gaelic tradition, speaking the language and enjoying
Celtic music. Beyond raising their own three children, they also sponsored children through
World Vision and took in children as foster parents.
Bill’s post-secondary schooling was one year at St. FX University in Antigonish where he met
many life-long friends. After a short stint managing a Co-op in Christmas Island, Bill worked as
an accountant for a company that was building the rail line across the new causeway from
mainland Nova Scotia to Cape Breton Island. For the rest of his working life, he mainly worked
as County Clerk (or CAO) for the County of Inverness. In that role, he was instrumental in
bringing proper water and sewage facilities to the county, as well as building modern schools.
He was fundamental in many local organizations, including the local Army Cadet chapter, the
volunteer fire department and he was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was an avid gardener, tending to plots both on his land and at Kintyre Farm, where he also
maintained the forest and trails for many years. He was known as the ‘energizer bunny’ for his
tireless mowing of the grass and meticulous trimming of the hedges. He also decided to create
a vineyard in Judique, and to this day grapes grow every summer out of the cold ground beside
his house.
Bill was a stoic, hard-working, kind and generous soul who was loyal to his faith, his family and
land he was from. He was a dedicated parishioner of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Judique
and served as part of the parish council, tending to the property, ringing the church bell and
fetching the priest’s mail. He adored the Tartan Gardens, created by his daughter-in-law,
Margaret, in the centre of Judique, in front of his house. Later in life, he would be known to walk
every morning to the seaside and attend the ceilidhs at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre,
enjoying a tea or a rye and ginger. He rarely danced, although his father was a well-known
stepdancer. He said he’d only dance with Tena, who he never stopped loving. Bill was well
read, especially in Canadian history and politics and kept up with the CBC news every night. He
stayed sharp with daily puzzles and playing cards. He was quiet, but would tell a good yarn from
the past if you waited long enough. He had the driest of wits and always had a quick joke, even
in his last days.
He is survived by: his three devoted children, Angus Lawrence “Larry” (Margaret Hodgson) of
Dartmouth, Alexander “Sandy” (Mary Lynk) of Halifax and Jeanne (Peter Barr) of Manly,
Australia; seven adoring grandchildren, Ted Graham (Erin O’Keefe) of Toronto, Laura Graham
(Scott Simpson) of Halifax, Ian (Melba Proestos), Kate (Lucas Geor) and Matthew Barr of
Sydney, Australia, Nicholas Martinello of Dartmouth and Laila Lynk Graham of Halifax. He has
five great-grandchildren: Andrew, Emma and Lochlan Graham (Toronto) and Charlie and
Cassia Simpson of Halifax. All of Bill’s descendants loved to get a famous ‘Grandpa hug’, sit
with him in the kitchen rocking chair and be pestered to ‘stay for a while longer in Judique’ with
him.
He is also survived by his sister, Mary MacDonald, also at Richmond Villa, and brother Duncan,
in Moncton, and so many other extended family members, friends and former colleagues who
loved him dearly.
He was predeceased by his second child, Margaret (who was stillborn and buried in Christmas
Island where Bill would often visit), his brothers John, Vincent and Francis and sisters Catherine
Oliver, Anne Gillis and parents, Angus John and Euphemia (Chisholm) Graham. He always
wanted to make it to 100 years and he nearly did. He will be buried next to Tena in the St.
Andrew’s Parish cemetery in Judique. Due to our current state of isolation, there will not be a
funeral. The burial will be held Tuesday, May 5 at 2 pm for immediate family members only. A
celebration of Bill’s life will be scheduled at a later date.
The family would love to receive stories, photos and memories; and are welcome to be shared
to billgrahamlegacy@gmail.com. Donations can be made directly to the Tartan Gardens of
Judique via cheque to Box 33, Judique NS, B0E 1P0 or care of the family, via email at
billgrahamlegacy@gmail.com.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Alexander Graham November 08 1922 April 30 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia