Emerson Edward DeGraw

April 12, 1934 - January 11, 2020

Emerson (Red) Edward DeGraw passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on January 11th, 2020, in Cumberland, BC. He had lived with Alzheimer's Disease for the last twelve years; he was in his 86th year.

Loving husband to wife, Mary and father to children Noelle, Brad (1981), and Jennifer (1998). Doting Papa to granddaughter, Miara.

Dear brother to Joe, Rose, Jim, Audrey and Russell, and the late Peter, Marjorie and Patricia.

Red was born in Rodney, ON, and moved to Courtenay, BC, in 1995. As a young man, Red trained in the army as a paratrooper, then went on to have a forty year career as a foreman at 3M in London ON. After moving to Vancouver Island, he ran a successful Bed and Breakfast with his wife Mary. He was very outgoing, social, and loved opening his home to guests from all over the world.

Red was very dedicated and loyal to his memberships with the Shriners, the Masons, and the Royal Canadian Legion, to which he served as President in Lucan ON.

Red was a generous man, always willing to lend a hand to family and friends. He loved being outdoors, and worked in his gardens from dawn to dusk.

He will be sorely missed, but his family takes solace in the knowledge that he is at peace, and free from the grip of Alzheimer's Disease.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring in Lucan, ON, at the Royal Canadian Legion. Red will be laid to rest with his family in St. James cemetery.

Details to follow.