Wilf Graham passed away on May 27th, 2010 at Chilliwack, BC at 103 years of age. He was born in Greenwood, BC on March 25th, 1907.
Wilf is survived by his son Gordon (Shirley) of Chilliwack, his daughter Verna (David) Smythe of Ottawa, grandchildren Laura Graham of Kamloops, Michael Graham of Burnaby, Nancy (Michael) Sharkey of Richmond, David (Catherine) Smythe of Toronto, Daniel (Gwen) Smythe of Ottawa, great-grandchildren Graham Hendry, Will Smythe, Russell and Rhys Sharkey, step-children Lynn Biduik, Arwin and Terry Annis. He was predeceased by his first wife Elsie (Auld) 1972, his second wife Winnifred (Annis) 1999, and siblings Wes, Art and Adeline (Osborne).
Wilf’s family moved to Chilliwack shortly after he was born and Wilf started his education at the original Rosedale Elementary School in 1913. He graduated from Chilliwack High School in 1923. He entered Provincial Normal School in 1924 and started his teaching career at Atchelitz Elementary School in 1925, and finished as Principal of Chilliwack Senior Secondary School in 1950, when he was appointed an Inspector of Schools and moved to Prince Rupert.
Wilf and Elsie then moved to Victoria, when he was appointed as an Assistant Deputy Minister and then to Richmond as Superintendent of the Richmond School District where he retired in 1972.
Following his “retirement,” Wilf continued his career as a consultant to the Ministry of Education for five years, culminating with an interim term as Superintendent of the Chilliwack School District in 1977.
The family would like to thank the many students and associates of Wilf who shared their time and social life with him during the many years following his return to Chilliwack.
A Celebration of Wilf’s Life will be held at Henderson’s Funeral Home in Chilliwack at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 5th, 2010.
If desired memorial donations can be made to the G.W. Graham Endowment Scholarship at the University of the Fraser Valley. Contact Jennifer Chrismas at 604.854.4595.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com