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There has been a great loss in the fastball family with the passing of our dear friend Ken Graham on the morning of Nov. 3, 2014. A lifetime player and supporter of fastball in the town of Jarvis. With this man's commitment to the Men's Fastball Team in Jarvis we were able to compete at the ISC level and bring home 3 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Our prayers are with Pat Graham and all of his family at this time.
Darlene Fehrman
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Peacefully at Norfolk General Hospital, Simcoe on Monday, November 3, 2014. Kenny Graham of Jarvis, beloved husband of Marie (nee Montague) in his 70th year. Loving father of Greg and his wife Sherry (nee Best) of Caledonia, Shannon and her husband Mike McCurdy of Caledonia and Pat and his wife Kathryn (nee Dale) of Paris. Proud Papa of Emily, Jenna and Graham McCurdy and Nathan and Andrew Graham. Son of the late Norm and Doris Graham and son-in-law of Monica and the late Leo Montague. Brother of Alice Ann and Gerry Stallwood, Robert Graham, the late Dennis and Cindy Graham and Debbie and Tom Sheppard. Brother-in-law of Nick and Lynn Montague, Neil and Maxine Montague, Fred and Lorraine Montague, Alice and Rick Miller and Ellen and Dennis Craddock. Lovingly remembered by several aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends are invited to call at COOPER FUNERAL HOME, 19 Talbot Street West, Jarvis on Wednesday, November 5 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. The funeral service for Kenny will be held at Cooper Funeral Home on Thursday, November 6 at 11 o'clock. Interment of ashes, St. Ann's Cemetery, Walpole. If desired, donations to the Jarvis Lions Walking Trail project, West Haldimand General Hospital or Norfolk General Hospital would be appreciated by the family. Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Memories at www.cooperfuneralhome.ca.
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It was with sincere sadness I read on Al’s Fastball of the passing of Ken Graham. Ken was a very quite and unassuming man but he was also the reason why Jarvis was on the map as a major fastball power, for so many years.
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Too often we look at the people who deliver the big hits, run down the sinking fly balls or strike out a feared opponent as the reason for success of any fastball franchise. In the case of Jarvis however, it all started with a guy like Ken Graham.
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Many people in the game would have no idea who Ken was; he chose to stay in the background. He was however at every game and until the past year when his health suffered the most he was the guy who looked after the money, recruited players, worked the business of the game and gave his all to keep a major men’s team successfully alive in his community.
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When you hear that fastball is dying it is not because of lack of talent and volume of players, it is because volunteers like Ken are few and far between.
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Ken has been ill for quite some time but he still wanted to be at the ball park. I saw him in Jarvis last summer, unable to get out of his car but wanting to still make an appearance to support his son Pat’s effort with another Jarvis tournament. I made it a point to always search out Ken at major fastball events just to say hi and check on his health. He never complained about his illness even when you could see he was struggling.
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The world keeps on spinning; each day brings a new treat of terror or political corruption to the news. What we rarely hear or read about are the great things that the little people do that is a good news story in their community. Ken Graham was a small man with a big heart and while we read of his passing we missed the great story of his value as a husband, a father, a leader and a community builder. He was a giant in Ontario fastball, for love of the game.
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I know I speak for everyone that knew Ken; we will miss you and are better for having shared a small part of his life.
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To Patrick and his entire family please accept the fastball community’s expression of sympathy in the loss of one so special.
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Sincerely,
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Larry Lynch.
Kitchener
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