Sterling Ronald Graham

STERLING RONALD GRAHAM

February 9, 1940 - March 9, 2023

It is profound sadness that the family of Sterling Graham of Winfield, Alberta announce that he passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on March 9, 2023 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta after a short illness. Sterling was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia on February 9, 1940 to Mary (Minnie) née Nicholson and Gordon Graham. He is survived by his son, Patrick Graham; daughter Jackie Loe; his son-in-law Mike Loe; three grandchildren Shayla, Jakob and Addison; his brother-in-law, Ken Walders and his wife Rosemary of Calgary; sister-in-law Bonnie of Brisbane, Australia; nephews, Daniel, Steven and Cameron; nieces Jessica and Laura and many cousins in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Sterling was predeceased by his wife Diana in 2021; his mother Mary K Noy in 2010; his father Gordon Graham in 1944; step-father PJ Noy in 1967; as well as his mother-in-law Averill in 2022 and father-in-law David in 1986.

Sterling was a Journeyman Mechanic, Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic and Journeyman Millwright by trade for over 60 years. He started tinkering with vehicles from a young age, helping one of his uncles in his gas station on PEI. While still living on PEI, Sterling worked for an undertaker in Hunter's River; he had a few mind boggling stories about his time at that job. He also worked for PJ (his step-father) in his potato warehouses. Sterling completed grade school and high school in Hunter's River and obtained his Journeyman Mechanic license in Charlottetown.

In 1964, Sterling made the cross-country trip from PEI to Alberta and settled in Calgary, Alberta. Sterling worked in Calgary as a mechanic at Hertz and Ford. In 1974 he met his beloved wife Diana and they married in 1975. Sterling and Diana lived in Calgary, after they married for four years before moving to Rocky Mountain House, then in 1986 they moved to Winfield where they bought the Winfield Gas Station which they ran until 2007.

Sterling was an active member of the Winfield Legion and received his 50 year membership pin this past November 2022. As well, he was an active member of the Winfield Lions Club and the Winfield Ag Society. Sterling volunteered for the Winfield Fire Department for over 15 yrs. He was also a Toastmasters Member for several years. Sterling was a longtime member of the local Crime Watch for many years.  Maybe his most notable volunteer job was the Winfield Ugetuk Days Parade Marshall which he did for more years than we can count. He also participated in the parade with 1944 Farmall Tractor, which was his most valued piece of equipment.

But Sterling was not just a Mechanic, he was an excellent conversationalist and could socialize with anyone for hours or in Diana's words,' BS about anything and everything!!'. Sterling was passionate about local, provincial and national politics and never held back on letting local officials know his thoughts on any particular topic.

We want to thank Dr Gagnon and the staff at the Wetaskiwin Hospital for their excellent care of Sterling. Additionally, we want to thank all the members of the Winfield community who knew Sterling; we are thankful for your friendship and kindness towards him and Diana over the years; Winfield was his home and he loved living in the community for the past 37 years and was proud to be from West Of the Fifth!!!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday March 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Winfield Rec Centre where everyone can come and celebrate his life, everyone is welcome. If you wish to view the funeral, this link will show the service once the funeral begins.  (This website will prompt you to fill in some details in order to view).  https://teams.live.com/meet/9385651169196 

If you wish to make a donation in Sterling's memory, please donate to the Winfield Ag Society, Winfield Lions or Winfield Legion.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Sterling Ronald Graham, please visit our Tree Store.