Obituary of Dennis Oliver Graff

Dennis Graff, a lifelong resident of Willow Valley, B.C. passed away on Friday, December 20, 2013 in Dawson Creek, B.C. at the age of 61years. Dennis was born on May 13, 1952 in Dawson Creek. He was the first born of four children to Rupert and Joyce Graff. Dennis grew up on the farm with cattle and horses. He loved to hunt, fish, and he was an amazing swimmer. He played a lot of sports, including baseball and hockey. He helped coach the Sunset Sun-Setters baseball team for a number of years, and then went on to help coach the Sunset Prairie Old Timers ball team. Many people say that he was an excellent skater. As a young child, Dennis went to school at the Sunset Prairie School, and he later went on to continue his education at the new Mcleod School. After briefly attending high school, Dennis worked with his father at a sawmill in Stuart Lake. He had numerous other jobs, including working for South Peace Stock Farms running cat. Then he used his experience running cat to work for different outfits. He eventually quit running cat to go to work for School District 59 in 1984 driving school bus. His career as a school bus driver ended in 2002, when he and his brother Robbie took over the family farm. Dennis enjoyed annual cattle drives, and was the front man on his quad while the rest of the family was on horseback. He loved his pickups and had no problem purchasing new equipment to help the farm. You could always count on Dennis to be around for a good talk on the phone. If you needed something, he would do his best to help you. He thought the world of his nieces and nephews and their children, and was always quick to show his visitors the latest pictures he had of them. Those who talked to Dennis would agree that he was always available for a laugh and would talk to anyone. Even when he was in the hospital during his final days, his sense of humor shone through. When one of the nurses said hello to him, he would look at her and say, "You again?". Dennis spent a little over a week in the hospital prior to his death and died peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2013 in the Dawson Creek Hospital at the age of 61. Dennis was predeceased by his father Rupert Graff. Dennis leaves behind to cherish his memory, his mother Joyce and three brothers; Dale (Faye), Russell (Shellie) and Robbie (Lucille), along with his nieces and nephews; Trever (Mia), Wendy (Dave), Michael (Anndra), Desarae (Jason), Jason (Melissa), Chenyl, Paige and Alisha, as well as nine great nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 1:00 pm from Reynars Funeral Chapel, Pastor Lee Stephenson officiated. Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Dennis to the CNIB - In Your Community Donation Processing Centre P.O. Box 9410 Stn Terminal, Vancouver, B.C. V6B-9Z9. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium