Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nova Scotia for funeral details
Graham Lee Geddes – 73, Truro. On Monday September
9, 2024 Graham passed peacefully by Medical Assistance in Dying, with
his family at his side at Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home in
Truro.
In 2020 Graham had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder attributed to an accumulation of events during his RCMP
service, followed by an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in September
2022. Having watched his wife, Linda’s parents both rapidly
decline through assisted living, palliative care and eventually death
with Alzheimer’s, Graham, and family, made the decision for
the planning and approval of Medical Assistance in
Dying.
Graham was born and raised in the “east-end” of
Truro. His father, Don worked for the CNR Yard Office and was a
volunteer fireman in Truro. His mother, Joan worked at
Hall’s Pharmacy and later Shopper’s Drug
Mart.
Graham attended Alice Street, Douglas Street, Truro Junior
High, and Truro Senior High Schools (Class of 1969). He attended
Brunswick Street United Church, Cubs and Scouts, Little League
Baseball, Demolay, and High School Golf. As a teen, Graham worked
after school and weekends to make extra money doing odd jobs at the
Pool-dle Billiard Hall and then Carters’ Wallpaper, Paint
and Giftshop. In the late 1960s he was the lead singer for “The
Next-In-Line” Rock and Soul Band.
Graham’s Class of 1969 Yearbook quotation reads as
follows:
“A man of silence is a man of strength- Although he
appears very quiet in class, Graham is well known by all. During his
stay at TSHS he has made a friend of just about everyone in the entire
school. You can be sure Graham participates in all discussions, and
now and then he will add a jest of humour to keep the ball
rolling.”
Graham tried to remain that same person throughout his life.
After attending Truro Senior High School, he completed his
1st year of a Bachelor of Commerce Degree at
St. Mary’s University, Halifax before joining the RCMP 8
February 1971. After graduating RCMP training at Regina, Saskatchewan,
he was posted to Manitoba where he stayed until 1991. During that
time, he had 11 locational transfers, consisting of uniform work,
plain clothes, one year University of Winnipeg, uniform supervisor at
Cpl. level twice, Detachment Commander Sgt. Level twice and then
Operational NCO as S/Sgt in Thompson. In 1991 he was commissioned by
Queen Elizabeth II to the rank of Inspector and transferred to
Headquarters Ottawa where he was in charge of The Multicultural
Liaison Branch within Personnel Directorate. Graham was then sent for
fulltime French language training and became bilingual. His final
posting was a secondment to the Solicitor General of
Canada’s Aboriginal Policing Directorate who at that time
was negotiating contracts between Canada and her First Nations as to
the type of police service individual First Nations
preferred.
During his service, Graham received a number of recognitions
including:
“The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of
Jerusalem Priory of Canada Certificate”, for assisting in
reviving the life of a collapsed, unconscious woman.
“Nebraska Admiral Award”, from Gov J. James Exon,
Omaha Nebraska, USA
“Citation of Appreciation”, from National Capital
Region United Way Campaign
“Royal Proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II” for
his Commission to the rank of Inspector
“RCMP Long Service Award”
“Assistant Commander for the National Emergency
Organization Centre”
“Canada 125 Medal”
Graham represented the RCMP and Canada in the following
countries:
United States, Jamaica, and as requested by External Affairs,
state police presentations in Costa Rico and Nicaragua.
After retiring in 1995 Graham worked part-time at the
following endeavours:
-Province of Nova Scotia Private Investigator
-Mountain Golf and Country Club
-Equipment Manager for the Truro Junior “A” Bearcat
Hockey Team (Maritime Junior A Hockey League) Three
years
-Partner/Operator of “The Stadium Skate Shop”
within the Truro Colchester Legion Stadium.
-Law Instructor, Scotia Career Academy, Lower Sackville, NS
within their Correctional Officer Program.
Graham is survived by his soulmate and wonderful wife, Linda
(Giles) (originally from Brantford, Ontario) whom he met when she was
a Registered Nurse at Lynn Lake Hospital in Manitoba during his first
posting there; son, Jeffrey (Lyndsay Bisson), Cold Lake, Alberta;
daughters, Pamela (Trevor Isenor), Elmsdale; Sandra (Shane Fulton),
Truro; his pride and joy, grandchildren, Robbie, Aaron and Isabelle;
his brother and role model, retired RCMP Supt. Jeff Geddes (Claudia
Works), Ridgetown, Ontario; sister, Sharon “Shelley”
Chambers (Nigel), Sidney, British Columbia; many wonderful nieces and
nephews.
His long-term memory remained excellent to the end which was
a blessing and his retirement in Truro allowed him to relive the past
with many of his childhood friends, who along with his family were his
laughter and life foundation during his 29-year retirement. It also
made him appreciate how lucky he was to be back home. During his
travels he was always proud to say he was from Truro, Nova
Scotia.
Graham and his family would like to extend appreciation to
Erica Maynard (MAID Nurse Practitioner), Margaret Grant
(Psychologist), Ian MacKay (Psychiatrist), Veterans’ Affairs
Canada, NS RCMP Support & Advocacy Group and Dr. Mashallah
Masoumi-Ravandi for putting him on the right track for help. Dr.
Masoumi and Graham shared a “unique” sense of humour which
Graham looked forward to.
Cremation will take place and at Graham’s request
his ashes will be spread into the Cobequid Bay in Truro. No
traditional funeral will be held, however a Celebration of Life will
take place from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Truro Fire
Department Recreation Hall, 165 Victoria Street, Truro. (Please use
rear Promenade entrance.)
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall –
Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Tributes, words of
comfort and memories may be shared at:
www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
“The Heart Never Knows The Colour Of Your Skin”
– Chief Dan George
1950 2024
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Graham Lee Geddes 1950 2024
obituaries notice Graham Lee Geddes 1950 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Graham Lee Geddes 1950 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
