Graeme Walker Hedley

Loving father of Bruce, Lynne (Tim) and Paul (Susanne). Dear grandfather of Ella, Simon, Cecil, Jessie and Iris. Predeceased by his parents Grace (Kinnear) and Walker Hedley, and his sister Donna Griffith. He will also be missed by his brother Douglas Hedley.

Graeme was born and raised on a purebred livestock farm in Seneca Township, Haldimand County. His primary education was in a one-room school in Seneca Township, followed by Caledonia High School. He attended the Ontario Agricultural College, 1960-1964 concentrating on animal science, graduating from the University of Toronto (OAC’64). He began his career after college with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food as a livestock inspector. He returned to OAC for his Master’s degree from the University of Guelph in animal genetics in the late 1960s.

In 1970, Graeme took on the job of guiding the Ontario Beef Improvement Association, what is now the Beef Farmers of Ontario, (BFO), until his resignation in 2001. After he left BFO, he was involved with many aspects of agriculture operations and policy, including work with the Ontario Agricultural Commodity Coalition, the animal deadstock industry, the management of the land abandoned in Ontario during the 1930s owned by OMAF, the Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario, the creation of the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program, and many meetings and organizations involving policies and programs for agriculture.

Based on his lifetime commitment to agriculture and food in Ontario and beyond, he was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2016.

Graeme prioritized time at his cottage on Paudash Lake, where he spent time with friends and family, fed the birds, mowed the lawn, blew the leaves, and enjoyed an occasional waterski.

The family will receive friends at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph (519-821-5077) on Monday, November 10th from 2:00-3:00 pm followed by a Funeral Service to be held in the funeral home chapel at 3:00 pm, followed by a reception. Cremation to follow.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Guelph General Hospital and Quite Health North Hastings Hospital, would be appreciated by the family. Donation cards are available at the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com

A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home chapel, on Monday, November 10th at 3:00 p.m.