Kenneth G. Graham

28-May-1923 - 17-Oct-2017

Obituary Overview

In Our Hearts

GRAHAM, Kenneth "Kenny"

We sadly announce the peaceful passing of World War II veteran (RCAF pilot) Kenneth Graham at age 94 at Extendicare Rouge Valley in Scarborough, Ontario on October 17. He will be greatly missed by his children Jim (Linda), Ron (Lori), Donna (Jim) and Gary (Irena), his grandchildren Trellawny (Julien), Lisa (Luke), Nick, Jenna (Derek) and David, his great grandchildren Iver and Ayla and his sister Audrey (Bruce) and nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Nelia.

A long time ACTRA member, Kenny began his on-air radio career in 1939 at the age of 16. In his 20's, he co-starred in the long running CBC radio series Cuckoo Clock House. He also spent several years in advertising sales for Bell Telephone Company and Thomson Newspapers. Upon his retirement, he appeared in several movies and TV series. He was well known for his sense of humour and kindness and well liked by those who knew him.

Thanks for the memories.

HIGH FLIGHT

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Condolences from family and friends

Posted by Robert Jones | 03-Nov-2017

When I was young my Grandmother called him Kenneth. It was always Kenneth this or Kenneth that in her British accent, I was unable to comfortably say Uncle Kenneth the way she did so he was always Uncle Ken to me on my Mom’s side. My mother was quite prompt like her brother in her daily routines. She always came home from Church on Sundays and picked up the rotary phone to call long distance to her brother at 1 pm for years. The conversations weren’t too long as we had to pay Bell by the minute to talk. We would be updated on family happenings, and they supported each other when each of them needed support. Later on we were updated on his acting jobs and looked to see if we could find him in the shows he was casted in. As kids I remember traveling down only two lane highways and visiting my Uncle and his family at their home in Scarborough with a carport. It was a bit of a circus there with four kids running around plus us, but it was great because you’re all kids and related! I always felt like a bit of a hick from the north as they always had the latest craze going on, yo-yo’s, hula-hoops, food and fun in the back yard and the best Beatle music collection outside of a music store! There I learned my Uncle was a pilot in the Air Force, never could I have imagined that we would be able to share that experience later in life. He told me he flew Hurricanes out of “Pat Bay” (currently Victoria Intl Airport) to protect Vancouver and the Canadian Naval facilities after the Pearl Harbour attack. We were both blessed to have flown on the West Coast in a fighter and never have been shot at or have to fire a shot in anger. Through my travels I was able to share flying stories with him and things I learned about our family history and the “Graham Clan Tartan” etc. Whenever we met he always had a joke after the first “Hello,” and if it was kind of corny he would tell another one right away while he was adjusting his fedora. My uncle was blessed to live to see his grandchildren’s children! Right up until his “Last Flight West” he was visited by his children and he passed away loved by his children and extended family. Thank you Uncle Ken for being an example for us, the memories and forever in my heart. Robert Jones

Posted by Trellawny Graham Quinet | 21-Oct-2017

When I was a little girl, my Grandpa would always come to visit on Sunday afternoons, at precisely 3pm. I can recall vividly, several times that he arrived early and he would sit in the driveway, in his Chevrolet, and wait until it was exactly 2:59pm; then he would walk to the door, put his right index finger in position in front of the doorbell while looking at his watch on his left wrist, and then, at 3pm, he would ring the doorbell. (I used to watch from behind the curtains in the living room at the front of our house; I would open them just a crack; he couldn't see me.) I remember, once, he was not quite on time — it was 3:02pm — and he apologized with a, “I’m sorry I’m late, there was so much traffic! Jeez!” To this day I don’t know if he was serious or joking because, you see, as much as he was VERY punctual, Grandpa also loved to tell jokes. He loved the restaurant Swiss Chalet too. His favourite Swiss Chalet joke was to wait until the end of the meal, then when the server would ask us how everything was, he would say, “Oh, it was fine thank you—except for the lemonade: that was a little weak.” (At Swiss Chalet, they used to offer you little bowls filled with warm water and a lemon slice so that you could clean your hands at the table after, naturally, eating your chicken without cutlery.) One time, I think it was either a Ponderosa or a Sizzler, we were at dinner and Grandpa was telling jokes, of course. When he noticed that the people eating at tables around ours were also laughing at his jokes, what did Grandpa do? Literally: stand up! He stood up on his seat and started entertaining the crowd! It was great. I was always in awe of how my Grandpa could be an avid stamp collector and pen pal—he also never missed my birthday; I got a card every year, at least a week early—but Grandpa really was also this larger than life entertainer. Every time someone sang the “happy birthday” song in his presence, he added a “diddly bum!” to the end of it. That was his trademark! He was also an extra in movies, such as Adventures in Babysitting. I remember telling my friends that my Grandpa played one of the bad guys; that was so cool, but also so odd. Why? Because Grandpa had a great smile. It was odd to see him looking so serious and not smiling in that movie role! I only learned more about Grandpa’s serious side later in his life, when he started to tell us his war stories. He was a pilot; yet, as long as I have known Grandpa, he didn’t like flying at all. In my lifetime, he’s always driven — and rarely after dark. It was very special to hear him finally talk about his pilot days (which made me understand why he preferred to stay on the ground… I can only imagine). I am extremely grateful for the time I had with my Grandpa. He was a pretty special guy. xo Grandpa. Rest easy. You've earned your wings. Lots of love, Trellawny

View Guestbook

Express your condolences

Send a sympathy bouquet.

Order Flowers