Richard Graham Bradshaw

Sept. 22, 1924 — Dec. 31, 2016

Graham was born in Maymont, SK, to Charles and Cicely (nee Reynolds) Bradshaw. His family moved from Maymont to BC in 1932, but Graham spent four years in England at boarding school. After that, he returned to his family near Kamloops, BC, and attended boarding school in Vernon. Upon leaving school, he served as a flight engineer for the RCAF at the end of WWII. Graham ferried home to Canada on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on her last voyage as a troop ship. He then served as an RCMP officer in Alberta for five years. In the 1950s, Graham received a degree in Horticulture from UBC, and studied theology in Toronto and Bristol. He used his knowledge to teach agricultural practices for four years in Uganda. While home on leave in 1962, he met his future wife, Judith, at Camp Columbia on Thetis Island, BC. He returned to work in Africa while Judith finished her nursing studies; she joined him in her birth country of Kenya, where they were married in 1964. After the birth of two children, they moved back to Canada. Graham was ordained after three additional years of study at Wycliffe College in Toronto and then began his ministerial career, serving the parishes of St James Anglican (Neepawa, MB), Church of Christ the King (Port Edward, BC), St. Columba’s Anglican United, (Port Hardy, BC), and St. Peter’s Anglican in Saanich, BC.

Graham was a deeply devout man who came from a long line of clergymen and missionaries. He could always be counted on to respond to the needs of his parishioners. His was a life of service. In his retirement, much of his time was spent volunteering for church functions and activities. He was a talented gardener and spent time researching family history and genealogy. Graham sustained life-long correspondences with family and people he had met from around the world. He was curious, with an enduring commitment to learning. He had a sarcastic sense of humour that his four sons all share. "Gramps" delighted in the company of his family, especially his eight grandchildren.

Graham was pre-deceased by his parents, and sisters Pauline Read and Margaret Lowe. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Judith, brother George, sister Dorothy Stuart, sons Tim (Tanis), John (Sioux), Andy (Elaine) and Doug (Marie), and grandchildren Calle, Tristan, Stephen, Julie, Nathan, Belinda, Hana and Gwyneth.

Graham died following a short illness. The family would like to thank his doctors and the health care staff of 6 South, Royal Jubilee Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm, Friday, January 13th, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Sidney, BC.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Canadian Bible Society at biblesociety.ca/donate or 10 Carnforth Road, Toronto, ON M4A 2S4