We are sad to announce the passing of Grahame on Monday, March 7, 2016, at 82 years of age.  Born and raised in Prince Albert, he spent many days in Grade 9 day-dreaming of anything other than his academics and dropped out of school. In 1951, an opportunity arose to work on aircraft at the Prince Albert Airport for Saskatchewan Government Airways, which was the kick start to a lifelong career in aviation.   

From there he worked for Norcanair, servicing and maintaining a variety of bush planes all over northern Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.  Due to the nature of the flying during that period, a lot of the maintenance on the aircraft consisted of performing repairs or engine changes outdoors in less than ideal conditions, and challenging locations.  From the late 1970’s until his retirement in 1997, he ended his career working for Northern Air Operations in La Ronge, SK, commuting weekly to work from his home in Prince Albert.  There he helped maintain the Province’s fleet of water-bombing aircraft, and when his arthritis made working on the aircraft too difficult, he managed the paperwork in Tech Records. Besides his hands-on skills, everyone who worked with Grahame knew of his hilarious story/joke-telling skills, and his well-rounded sense of humour. He was well known and respected within the aviation community.

In the mid 1950’s, he obtained his Private Pilot’s License and flew recreationally for many years within Saskatchewan.  When he purchased and restored his own aircraft in the 1970’s, family and friends enjoyed airplane rides in his 1946 Aeronca Chief. Grahame was the go-to guy for all things aviation related.

Also in the mid 1950’s he hand built his own boat that he named “Happy Bottom” and spent countless hours on the water at the National Park towing water skiers and giving rides. It appeared Grahame had all the toys and was a pretty cool guy to be around. This did not go unnoticed, and in 1959 he married Shirley Salen. 

From a very early age, Dad was a model airplane builder. A local pioneer of the hobby, he built and flew model aircraft throughout his whole life, and was a founding member of today’s Prince Albert Radio Control Club. He was a master builder, a perfectionist in every way, with a strong eye for detail.  Unable to fly his models in his later years, he continued to build smaller balsa models and ships in the living room of his home, literally until his last day.  

Dad was very proud of his two older brothers, Vincent and Earl from Prince Albert, who served in WW II.  Both killed in action while on duty in flight, he cherished a lot of the family memorabilia that they left behind. He always looked up to them as heroes, and was proud of the fact Attree Lake in northeastern Saskatchewan was named after them, as is Attree Bay in Prince Albert.

Dad’s retirement years were spent enjoying many family celebrations and visits with his children and grandchildren.  Afternoon coffee and story-telling with his close friends was a favourite pastime.

Grahame is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley (nee Salen), three children, Allison, Vince (Nina) and Anson (Jolene), five grandchildren, Austin, Mallory, Ella, Charlie and Eddie, a sister-in-law, Phyllis Attree, and three brothers-in-law, Roy, Doug and Garry. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Vera, two brothers, Earl and Vincent, two sisters, Mariann and Marcella, one brother-in-law, Ken, and his parents-in-law, Reider and Margaret Salen.

At Grahame’s request, no funeral service will be held. Arrangements are entrusted to River Park Memorial Chapel, 306-764-2727, Colette Kadziolka, Funeral Director.

• Date : 2016-03-07