Graham Clarke

Douglas Graham Clarke

January 10, 1934 – Didsbury, Alberta

Sept 10, 2019 – Nanaimo, British Columbia

Graham Clarke (‘Sonny’), beloved husband of Darla Clarke (nee Synott) of Qualicum Beach, passed away on Tuesday, September 10 at the age of 85. He was born in Didsbury, Alberta on January 10, 1934 and was only a toddler when his family moved back to Nova Scotia. Graham’s childhood and youth were spent in Nova Scotia, where he was raised on the family farm in Old Barns. Graham began his studies at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and moved to Montreal to complete his Bachelor of Science (BSC). He graduated with a BSC from McGill in 1956. As a young man, Graham took great pleasure in playing sports, including hockey and rugby.

Graham moved to Calgary in 1956 where he spent most of his career in the oil industry, working as a petroleum landman. The last ten years of his career were spent at CN Exploration, where he was the Manager of the Land Department.

Graham met his wife Darla in Calgary, and they raised their three daughters on their acreage in Red Deer Lake. This past June they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. After retirement, they moved to Qualicum Beach, where Graham enjoyed puttering in the yard, and took pleasure in reading, jogging and hiking – including backpacking the West Coast Trail. He also volunteered as a driver for SOS.

In addition to his loving wife, Graham is survived by his daughters and their partners: Kerry and Steve of Calgary, AB; Marlea and Catherine of Victoria, BC; and Shannon and Wakefield of Calgary, AB. Graham was predeceased by his sisters Joan and Margaret, parents John and Annie Clarke of Old Barns Nova Scotia, and is survived by his eldest sister Mary.

Celebration of Life will be held at the St. Stephen’s United Church in Qualicum Beach on Saturday, October 26th at 2:00 PM. If friends or family so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson’s Society of British Columbia, or the Palliative Care Unit at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Condolences may be forwarded through QB Memorial Services, www.qbmemorials.ca.

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