January 1, 2020
In loving memory ~
Graham was the eldest of three children of Jean and Herman Bannatyne of Quill Lake. While growing up, he loved any sport he could find and if he was still bored, practiced riding the steers and the milk cows to his father's dismay. A cowboy in the making. At 17, he entered in a local contest and won a 1949 Chevrolet car. At 18, he graduated high school, sold his car to his parents, and moved to Saskatoon to attend Tech Collegiate where he mastered a course in carpentry, joined the cadets and prepared for a career in banking.
He met and married Doreen Nieman while working at the Bank of Montreal in Saskatoon. He soon transferred to Wynyard, and then to Aylmer, Ontario. While in Aylmer, he renewed his interest in becoming a cowboy, and began to break broncs. After a few minor injuries, he decided to stick with banking. From Aylmer he returned to Saskatoon for a few years and then to Los Angeles for a position of Manager of the Santa Monica Credit Union, followed by Manger of Ralph's Credit Union.
By this time, the family had grown to four children: Kent, Valerie, Lori, and Gina. After many years of sports, schooling and then relationships, these four moved to various states in the US and later some back to Canada.
In later years, he married Clemie and retired to Kimberley, BC. When Clemie passed, Graham moved to Grande Prairie to be with his son Kent and family, where he passed in January of 2020. He was predeceased by his daughter Valerie in 2019, his father in 1984, his mother 2009 and his sister Enola in 2019. Doreen passed in 2021.
He is survived by his children and grandchildren: Kent (Dulce), Lori Lynn (Marty), Gina and families; his sister Elaine, neices, nephews, cousins and many friends.