Obituary of Wayne Robert Graham

We are saddened to announce that Wayne Robert Graham passed away on October 13, 2024 at Neil Hall, Fredericton, New Brunswick. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Wayne was born on March 23, 1943 to Harold and Grace (Greer) in Eel River Lake, NB.

Wayne will be sadly missed by his wife, Constance “Connie” (Keary) Graham; son, Andrew (Lisa); daughter, Karen Levesque (Andre); grandchildren, Drew Graham (Jamie), Olivia Gee (Garret), Grace Graham (Joey), Leah Levesque, Julia Levesque (Jarret); great-grandchildren, Arthur and Sterling Gee; sisters, Raelene Theriault (Raoul), Cecily Fredericks (Reginald); sisters-in-law, Sylvia Graham, Lorraine Graham, Patricia “Patsy” Keary, Dorothy Kenny, Mary Keary (Al), Louella Doyle; brothers-in-law, Tom Kinney, Charles Keary, Robert Keary, and many nieces and nephews. Wayne was predeceased by eight of his siblings: Joyce, Lona, Larry, Dennis, Keith, Marie, Sherrill, and most recently, Glen.

Wayne grew up on the family farm where he started his day milking cows and doing farm chores before walking to school. It was here that Wayne developed a strong work ethic at a young age which served him well throughout life. He was a career businessman involved in land development, construction, buying and selling, but known most for his highway striping business, Maritime Pavement Markings, which he owned and operated for almost 30 years. He painted lines on the highways and roads in every part of the province, although his favourite contract was striping the roads of Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. Wayne was called on after he had retired and sold the business to run the highway striper to paint the first lines on the new Confederation Bridge to PEI before it opened in 1997.  

Wayne’s favorite pastime was the time that he spent with his family and grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.  He enjoyed many years of summer living at the family cottage at First Eel Lake where he hosted annual barbeques and gatherings. He loved to water ski and teach the kids the same. We would often have a lineup of kids on our shore waiting for a turn to ski a loop around the lake. He loved to travel around the woods in the fall while hosting his family and friends during hunting season where he enjoyed preparing his famous hunter’s breakfast and venison dinners.  He and Connie spent a part of every winter walking the beaches of Hawaii, his favourite vacation spot.  He curled many years curling at the Capital Winter Club where he was an avid volunteer, and hosted several bonspiels in support of Cystic Fibrosis. He had a passion for horses and harness racing where he volunteered and partnered with ownership of several standard bred and could often be found on his sulky circling the track at the Fredericton Raceway. Wayne spent the latter part of life attending functions and sporting events to support and cheer on his grandchildren. He spent his last few years at Neil Hall where he developed special bonds with the other residents and staff. He would have been one of the longest living residents of the Nasis wing.

 All that knew Wayne would attest to his love of life, conversation, dancing, generosity and his huge personality.  He was one of a kind and will be sadly missed.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the J.A. McAdam Memorial Chapel in Fredericton, NB, beginning at 2pm, with Fr. John Jennings officiating. Interment will be at the Hermitage Catholic Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of the donor’s choice.