Remembering William Graham McCombs

It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of Graham suddenly at Oak Terrace, Orillia on February 18, 2018 at the age of 84. Graham was born in Barnagore, India where his father owned Jutes Mills. He attended primary school there and upon finishing was taken back to Scotland where his parents enrolled him at Strathe Alan – private boy’s boarding school and completed his secondary schooling. He then went to Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, Scotland. The war in Korea started and he received a letter to join. He trained in the RAF – became a pilot and was Flight Lieutenant William Graham McCombs and flew a sabre Jet. After the war ended he returned to Aberdeen University and received his Degree as an Industrial Engineer. He worked in Scotland for a short period and decided to immigrate to Canada in 1956 and worked for some companies. He then started employment with Kodak Canada and was with them for 31 years. He was Payroll Manager for years and finished his career in the Corporate Relations Division. Upon retirement he and his wife Helena decided to move to a smaller community and have been here for 20 years in Orillia. Graham was always one to keep busy and enjoyed meeting people. He was a volunteer with the OPP in their SALT program (Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together) for four years and enjoyed it very much. He was an Elder at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. While working at Kodak he met Len Cobb, Kodak’s professional photographer. They became best friends and Graham got very interested in photography. He got very involved and was always with a camera in his hand. National Geographic bought some photos, his pictures were printed in travel magazine brochures. He also became good friends with Len’s wife May and their son Russel. He will be profoundly missed by his beloved wife Helena and his children, John (Dalick), Mark (Irene) their children Chelsea and Kayla and grandchildren Lily and Summer, Nicole (Paul Wiseman) and son Matthew and Colette, his niece Georgia Boychuk (Ron Keizer), great niece Natasha Dombrowski (James Ordyniec), best friends Rita Bernie and son Keith Bernie Family, friends and those that knew Graham will remember him as a people person, always interested in people and they enjoyed his great sense of humour. We thank the nurses, Dr. Collins and others that took care of him at Oak Terrace and our doctor Dr. R. Camal. We would be remised not to mention Dr. Wendy McComb who was our doctor for 20 years, for the time and the good care she gave both of us and thank her very much. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Homes, 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia, (705) 326-3595 for a Celebration of Life on Saturday March 24, 2018 at 11 o’clock. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #34, Orillia are asked to gather in the Doolittle Chapel for a Legion Service on Saturday March 24, 2018 at 10:45 A.M. If desired, memorial donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.