James E. (Ted) Graham
December 24, 1933 to August 13, 2022
Our family is profoundly sad to announce Ted’s passing, but we are grateful for his legacy and gratified that he can be reunited with his beloved wife Lorna (d. November 11, 2020).
Ted was born in Coboconk, Ontario on Dec 24th, 1933. His extended families had pioneered the area, especially in the hospitality and tourism industries . In 1870, they built the locally famous hotel which is still in operation as the Pattie House. They then expanded into every business needed by cottagers, bought a second hotel, opened the first gasoline station and managed various other retail and service outlets. Eventually, Ted’s extended family developed hundreds of cottages on 2500 acres of cottage land on Balsam and Shadow Lakes and additionally provided land for the provincial parks on Balsam Lake.
Ted’s parents, Roy Graham and Etta Isobel Jackson moved to Lindsay in 1934, where Ted excelled in sports on his way through the educational system. Ted married his high school sweetheart, Lorna Margaret Christian. They then moved to Toronto, where Ted started his business career sweeping floors for Northern Electric. 25 years later, after sales management roles at Procter and Gamble and at Lever’s, Ted became President and CEO of Versa Services.
In 1995, Ted and Lorna bought the historic waterfront property at 6 Second Street and proceeded to restore, update, and enhance the property. It was built in 1896 by Sir Joseph Flavelle’s father-in-law and was in terrible shape. It had sat for 100 years on four stumps, one of which was rotted. The whole residence was sliding towards the backyard, so Ted and Lorna had the cottage lifted to install a basement. They restored the old finishes and Lorna did a magical job of restoring the décor and acquiring period pieces. Truly a labour of love. Ted loved to wander around the Point, chatting with everyone he met.
He led a large Sunday school in Toronto for 28 years and then became a touring lay preacher conducting hundreds of services in the Kawartha Lakes area, and in Toronto. His sermons were recorded and distributed widely. Both Lorna and Ted were dedicated songsters, singing in church choirs and choral groups. Ted took a co-leadership role of a gospel group which performed for thousands in Clarington and area. His booming voice will be missed at the Sturgeon Point Union Church on Sunday mornings.
The family is planning on having a celebration of life in the fall.
