Graham; Hewitt (Buzz) Lyle
October 18, 1926 - January 22, 2015
Hewitt “Buzz” Graham passed away peacefully at Heritage Village in Chilliwack on the morning of January 22, 2015, surrounded by his family and loving wife, Ellen of 65 years at the age of 88. Buzz was born in Laidlaw, BC and loved the outdoors. He could often be found in the woods enjoying nature and animals as a young child. He began his life as a logger as a teenager and worked hard every day until his retirement at 65. He operated sidewinders on Fraser River, Harrison, the Sunshine Coast and worked at camps around the province. He was a proud ‘boom man’ and respected for his skill in the operations. He loved the opportunity to sit and talk about the good old logging days. Buzz married Ellen in 1949 at the Anglican Church in Hope and they had five children, fours boys and a girl. Buzz loved his family and would go without to make sure everyone had what they needed. He has 13 grandchildren and loved to treat them to a walk to the store for a bag of candy and slushee whenever they would visit. Buzz was well known in Hope and would walk downtown almost every day. He always had time to talk, share a laugh and would make anyone he met feel like a friend. He was a long-standing member of the Eagles and enjoyed a game of pool and a screwdriver with his fellow members. Buzz loved to play darts and bowl, winning many trophies - one pin away from the perfect game. He enjoyed listening to good old country music, playing crib and spoiling his pets. He took pride in his poached eggs and clam chowder. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports and supported all their endeavours. Buzz will be remembered for his sense of humour, hard livin’, hard working, his charm, wit, generosity and love for animals. He loved his wife Ellen through thick and thin and would count on ‘momma’ for a good meal. Their love endured to his final day with her lovingly by his side. He will be survived by his wife of 65 years, Charlotte ‘Ellen’ (Prest) Graham, his sons Don (Michelle), Ken (Karla), Ed (Christy), his daughter Bonny (Tim), and son Rick (Nerine) and grandchildren Matthew, Farley, Taze, Kara, Byron, Courtney, Jason, Kelly, Taylor, Carter, Maddi, Morgan and Mackenzie and many great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers Les and Earl and sister ‘Sis’. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Heritage Village Seniors Care Home where he received love and care from staff who became part of his family. Buzz enjoyed his days here by the koi pond feeding the fish and ‘Buzz’s Bench’ will be placed in the garden in memoriam. Donations to: Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation - Buzz Graham Memorial Bench Fund - “Heritage Village” in the cheque memo. Donations can be dropped off at the office in Chilliwack General Hospital or be mailed to: Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, c/o Chilliwack General Hospital, 45600 Menholm Rd, Chilliwack BC V2P 1P7. Buzz loved a party and a Celebration of Life “Irish Wake” will be held at the Eagles Hall in Hope, BC (386 Fort Street) on Saturday, February 28th, 2015. Memorial service at 3:00pm followed by food, drinks, music and sharing stories about the good times at Buzz’s request.