Obituary

In Memory of Ted Graham

by

James E. (Ted) Graham

December 24, 1933 to August 13, 2022

Our family is profoundly sad to announce Ted’s passing, but we are grateful for his legacy and gratified that he can be reunited with his beloved wife Lorna (d. November 11, 2020).

Ted was born in Coboconk, Ontario on Dec 24th, 1933. His extended families had pioneered the area, especially in the hospitality and tourism industries . In 1870, they built the locally famous hotel which is still in operation as the Pattie House. They then expanded into every business needed by cottagers, bought a second hotel, opened the first gasoline station and managed various other retail and service outlets. Eventually, Ted’s extended family developed hundreds of cottages on 2500 acres of cottage land on Balsam and Shadow Lakes and additionally provided land for the provincial parks on Balsam Lake.

Ted’s parents, Roy Graham and Etta Isobel Jackson moved to Lindsay in 1934, where Ted excelled in sports on his way through the educational system. Ted married his high school sweetheart, Lorna Margaret Christian. They then moved to Toronto, where Ted started his business career sweeping floors for Northern Electric. 25 years later, after sales management roles at Procter and Gamble and at Lever’s, Ted became President and CEO of Versa Services.

In 1995, Ted and Lorna bought the historic waterfront property at 6 Second Street and proceeded to restore, update, and enhance the property. It was built in 1896 by Sir Joseph Flavelle’s father-in-law and was in terrible shape. It had sat for 100 years on four stumps, one of which was rotted. The whole residence was sliding towards the backyard, so Ted and Lorna had the cottage lifted to install a basement. They restored the old finishes and Lorna did a magical job of restoring the décor and acquiring period pieces. Truly a labour of love. Ted loved to wander around the Point, chatting with everyone he met.

He led a large Sunday school in Toronto for 28 years and then became a touring lay preacher conducting hundreds of services in the Kawartha Lakes area, and in Toronto. His sermons were recorded and distributed widely. Both Lorna and Ted were dedicated songsters, singing in church choirs and choral groups. Ted took a co-leadership role of a gospel group which performed for thousands in Clarington and area. His booming voice will be missed at the Sturgeon Point Union Church on Sunday mornings.

The family is planning on having a celebration of life in the fall.

In Memory of Donna Claire Steen

by

August 30, 1939 – May 27, 2022

Donna Steen, 82, passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital surrounded by family and friends on May 27, 2022. Donna was born in Orillia, Ontario to Mary and Ernie Collinson. She was the loving mother to Michelle Marlin (Dennis Callahan) and Chris Marlin (Maria) and grandmother of Ryan, Jacqueline, Gregory and Parker.

Donna was a Sturgeon Pointer since 1964 when her mother bought the little cottage on Second Street.  The cottage was her beloved place for the remainder of her life; long after she couldn’t remember the names of her children and grandchildren, she remembered her cottage. The last half century she could be found walking and swimming with friends, gardening, and introducing her four grandchildren to the many charms of Sturgeon Point. A lifelong learner and educator, she was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Toronto and Loyola University of Chicago. She began her teaching career in Chicago before moving back to Toronto where she taught elementary grades and French at the Scarborough Board of Education.

She had many interests – reading, languages, music, art and travelling.  She travelled the world and made lifelong friends in France and Japan but her happy place was always at Sturgeon Point. A celebration of life for family and friends is planned at the Point over Civic weekend.

In Memory of Rick Salter

by

Our condolences go out to the Salter family in their time of loss.

SALTER, Richard – Social justice activist, lawyer, negotiator, helpmate, parent, life partner, Zaidie and friend, this “little Jewish boy from College Street” (his words) Rick Salter, passed away September 20, 2021.

As a young adult in SDS, he led protests against the war in Vietnam, and then in 1969, he returned to Canada to became Director of Recruitment for the Company of Young Canadians. He then joined with Stan Daniels, Maria Campbell, Harold Cardinal and others in their organizations in Alberta. After a brief time in England, he taught Sociology at Capilano College and in Lillooet. Throughout he was working with the B.C. Union of Indian Chiefs (with his mentor George Manuel). His work continued through many years with the law firm Pape, Salter, Teillet to bring about fundamental change in the relationships between First Nations & Metis and governments.
Together with Dave Joe and Vic Mitander, he negotiated new treaties, constitutions, laws and contracts for land claims and self- government, thus changing the face of the Yukon Territory forever. Together with John B. Zoe, Bertha Rabesca, Ted Blondin, Eddie Erasmus, James Wahshee and the Elders, he did the same with the Tlicho in the NWT, helping to build the Tlicho Nation and Self-Government and securing recognition of Tlicho Lands.
Rick later worked with Norm Hardesty, Stan Loudit and Jennifer Simard and the Moose Cree in constructing new financial relationships about resources and the environment. Add to this, he acted as lawyer and helpmate with many other First Nations. He also worked with Jean Teillet to help build the Metis Nation of Ontario. Even after he retired, he joined in peer learning with other seniors at Quest in NYC and published Muckrakers Bulletin. Rick was the first person in his family to go to university and he received his Master’s Degree.

His animating view was his hatred of colonialism. Rick always sought truth and provided warmth, clear-thinking and support. His commitment to social justice, nuclear disarmament and environmental justice never faltered; his love for his family, his friends and co-workers never waivered.

He is survived by his wife Liora, his three children April (Cliff), Colin (Samantha) and Ammon (Orietta), six grandchildren: Elijah, Kolya, Eva, Suki, Giacomo and Scarlett and his sister Bonnie. He is predeceased by his brother Gary.

A Family graveside service was held on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

Donations in Richard’s memory may be made to any Social Justice charity of your choice.