Gordon Richard Graham

It is with great sadness that the family of Gordon Richard Graham announces his unexpected passing on June 16, 2015 at Chilliwack General Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Chilliwack on May 17, 1933. His proud parents were Elsie and Wilf Graham, who predeceased their son in 1972 and 2010, respectively. Gordon attended school in Chilliwack until grade 11 when the family moved to Prince Rupert. He entered UBC in 1951, where he met Shirley Carson who became his bride in June of 1954. They were married until August 2012, when Shirley passed away. Gordon is survived by his children Laura Graham (Gord), Mike Graham (Sharon), and Nancy Sharkey (Michael). He will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Graham Hendry, and Russell and Rhys Sharkey.

In addition to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Gordon's academic and business accomplishments were exceptional. He graduated from the UBC School of Architecture in 1957 with the Governor General's Medal for Excellence, and in addition, he was the recipient of the BC Electric Travelling Fellowship, which allowed him and Shirley to enjoy a belated honeymoon in Europe that year. He held an architectural position with Wade, Stockdill and Armour in Victoria, before moving to Edmonton for four years where he worked with Diamond - Clarke & Associates as they planned the University of Alberta campus. In 1963, Gordon and Shirley moved their family, Laura and Mike, to Chilliwack where Gordon formed a partnership with Albert Anderson as Anderson and Graham Architects, Inc. His youngest daughter Nancy arrived to join the Graham clan in 1964.

Gordon's years as an architect in Chilliwack were very creative and productive; he designed the local Post Office building and many Chilliwack schools and private residences. Under his leadership, the firm flourished, and in 1972 became G.R. Graham, Architect. In 1985, Shirley started working as the comptroller for the office and in the late 70's and early 80's, Shirley and Gordon prospered with a great deal of talent and diligence. During these years, Gordon and Shirley enjoyed many trips to Maui in the winters and spent happy hours renovating and improving the family cabin at Loon Lake, BC. In the year 2000, Gordon and his partners Ron Hoffart and Mark Mathiasen moved the newly-expanded firm of Graham Hoffart Mathiasen Architects to Surrey; it continues to this day, recently renamed as Thinkspace Architecture. Gordon commuted up and down the valley for several years until his retirement in 2002. Gordon and Shirley celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2004 with a cruise to Alaska, which they both thoroughly enjoyed.

During his career, Gordon had a particular focus on the education sector, designing or overseeing dozens of school projects in districts such as Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, and farther afield. He was also fond of the fact that when his oldest grandson, Graham, graduated with his BEd from UBC in 2010, Gordon was able to remind the family that they were members of a unique group: four generations of UBC graduates. He was very proud of his family's academic achievements. Education was a tremendously important element of Gordon's life. He was constantly reading newspapers and watching CNN after he retired. He was a person who kept abreast of world politics, finances and sports - but he loved a good Ludlum, Grisham or Le Carre novel by the pool in Maui or Mexico as well. Gordon also generously supported the G.W. Graham Endowment Entrance Scholarship at the University of the Fraser Valley, named in honour of his late father.

Gordon is survived by his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and his sister Verna (David) Smythe, nephews David Smythe (Katherine), Dan Smythe (Gwen) and great-nephew, Will. There will be a Memorial service for Gordon on Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. at Henderson's Funeral Home in Chilliwack. Henderson's is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at http://www.dignitymemorial.ca/hendersons-funeral-homes-crematorium.

Our family thanks everyone who would like to make a gift in Gordon’s memory to the G.W. Graham Endowment Entrance Scholarship at the University of the Fraser Valley. On-line gifts may be made at www.ufv.ca/giving or mailed directly to UFV, Advancement Office, 33844 King Road Abbotsford, V2S 7M8. For inquiries on your gift in honor of Gordon, please call Hilary Beard 604-851-6326.