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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald Hugh Graham, 79, of Edmonton, Alberta. Ronnie passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Ronnie is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda (Gillis), his daughters Margaret (Brent) Scheibner and Katie (J Bradley Harris) Graham, his two grandchildren Claudia and Henry Scheibner and his sister Sharon (Hughie) MacIsaac.
Ronnie was born in Judique, Nova Scotia in March of 1945 to Ellen (Gillis) and Roderick Graham. At a young age, Ronnie left home and followed his two sisters and brother to Toronto. After his sisters shooed him back to Judique, Ronnie set out again for Toronto to make a career for himself in horse racing; a successful career that spanned more than five decades. Ronnie, known as The General in Canadian harness racing circles, raced horses from east to west and many places in between. Ronnie also had numerous connections to New Zealand harness racing. He loved sharing his passion and knowledge of the sport with the next generation of young drivers, but most importantly he passed that passion on to his two daughters who spent countless hours in the barn and at the track with him. The Little General, Katie, has carried on his legacy with Harness Racing Ontario.
Ronnie never watched a horse race he didn’t wish he was in. Though, he used to joke that it was much easier to drive from the sofa.
In 1977, Ronnie moved to Alberta to continue his horse racing career. In 1981, he married Linda (Gillis), and they built a life together with their two daughters. Ronnie and Linda explored the world together, from California to Malaga, Spain, but always back home to Cape Breton. Although he spent the majority of his life in Alberta, the spirit of the Maritimes would always be home.
Ronnie spent his retirement volunteering at the Marian Centre Soup Kitchen and the Remand Centre Rosary Program. He enjoyed his time as “Papa” and was always eager to help Margaret and Brent on the farm with harvest which often meant hopping in a grain truck, a rock picker or just on the lawn mower, if needed.
Ronnie was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Gillis (Helen), Leslie (Marge) and Jerry (Morag) Graham and AJ MacDougall; and his sisters, Claudia Graham and Mary (Gerry) Cross; his parents-in-law, Margaret and Neil Gillis; his brothers-in-law, Sandy and Chris Gillis, and Gerry Cross; his sisters-in-law, Helen Graham and Margie Gillis; and a number of dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00p.m., with a short Prayer Service at 2:30 p.m. Located at Connelly-McKinley Downtown Chapel 10011 114 Street NW, Edmonton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Marian Centre www.mariancentreedmonton.ca/donations or to the Judique Cemetery Fund c/o St. Andrew’s Parish, Judique, Cape Breton B0E 1P0.
Funeral details for Nova Scotia will follow.
2024
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta
death notice Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Hugh Graham 2024
obituaries notice Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Hugh Graham 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Hugh Graham 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
