Obituary of R. Graham Yates

1924 - 2015 Peacefully with his family by his side at Parkwood Institute, London, on Sunday, May 31, 2015 in his 91st year. Beloved husband of 61 years to the late Reva Eileen Yates (2011). Loving father of Bob Yates, Brian Yates, Barb Glover (Al), and Bev vanderHeide (Rick). Cherished grandfather of Adam, Lauren, Kelly, Acasia, Sarah, Chelsea and Matthew. Dear brother of George and Don, and his sister Mary Meadus. Predeceased by his parents Raymond and Pearle, his brother Gordon and sister Norma Iley. Graham was born at home in East York on December 23, 1924. He attended East York Collegiate. Summers were spent at the Yates family homestead in Port Union on Lake Ontario. In 1943, Graham joined the Royal Canadian Navy and trained as a Radio Artificer. He served in World War II (1943-46) in Halifax and Gaspé. He attended the University of Toronto and earned his B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. Graham and Reva married in 1949 and they relocated to London, Ontario, where he worked as a Professional Engineer with Ontario Hydro for 33 years as the Distribution Engineer for the Western Ontario region. Graham retired in 1982 and enjoyed traveling to Europe with his wife Reva. They had a summer home in Seaforth, Ontario where he continued to enjoy gardening, nature and woodworking. Thank you to the staff of 3 Essex for your loving care. A special thank you to Chaplain Katherine Spannemann for your support of Graham and Reva. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where the funeral service will be conducted on Friday, June 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Woodland Cemetery. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Graham are asked to consider the Canadian Diabetes Association or Veterans Care at Parkwood Institute.