Longtime trainer-driver Ronald Hugh 'Ronnie' Graham of Edmonton, Alta. passed away peacefully at the age of 79 on Oct. 18, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Ronnie is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda (Gillis); his daughters, Margaret (Brent) Scheibner and Katie (J Harris) Graham; his two grandchildren, Claudia and Henry Scheibner; and his sister, Sharon (Hughie) MacIsaac.
Ronnie was born in Judique, N.S. in March of 1945 to Ellen (Gillis) and Roderick Graham. At a young age, Ronnie left home and followed his two sisters and brother to Toronto. After his sisters shooed him back to Judique, Ronnie set out again for Toronto to make a career for himself in horse racing; a successful career that spanned more than five decades. Ronnie, known as The General in Canadian harness racing circles, raced horses from east to west and many places in between. Ronnie also had numerous connections to New Zealand harness racing. He loved sharing his passion and knowledge of the sport with the next generation of young drivers, but most importantly he passed that passion on to his two daughters who spent countless hours in the barn and at the track with him. The Little General, Katie, has carried on his legacy in Ontario's harness racing industry.
Ronnie never watched a horse race he didn’t wish he was in. Though, he used to joke that it was much easier to drive from the sofa.
In 1977, Ronnie moved to Alberta to continue his horse racing career. In 1981, he married Linda (Gillis), and they built a life together with their two daughters. Ronnie and Linda explored the world together, from California to Malaga, Spain, but always back home to Cape Breton. Although he spent the majority of his life in Alberta, the spirit of the Maritimes would always be home.
Ronnie spent his retirement volunteering at the Marian Centre Soup Kitchen and the Remand Centre Rosary Program. He enjoyed his time as “Papa” and was always eager to help Margaret and Brent on the farm with harvest which often meant hopping in a grain truck, a rock picker or just on the lawn mower, if needed.
Ronnie was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Gillis (Helen), Leslie (Marge) and Jerry (Morag) Graham and AJ MacDougall; and his sisters, Claudia Graham and Mary (Gerry) Cross; his parents-in-law, Margaret and Neil Gillis; his brothers-in-law, Sandy and Chris Gillis, and Gerry Cross; his sisters-in-law, Helen Graham and Margie Gillis; and a number of dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Connelly-McKinley Downtown Chapel, 10011 114 Street NW, Edmonton, Alta., with a short prayer service at 2:30 p.m. Interment will take place in Cape Breton at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Marian Centre or to the Judique Cemetery Fund c/o St. Andrew’s Parish, Judique, Cape Breton B0E 1P0.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ronnie Graham.
Ronnie Graham
A common theme ,I also was invited over to the Ronnie graham family home where I was treated to a very nice home cooked meal from Ronnies lovely wife Linda and his two beautiful daughters Katie and Margaret. It was always great listening too all his stories Ronnie used to come and help me jog and train in the morning and it was great bouncing ideas off him about problem horses.
Ronnie was a very good horsemen and was an equally good driver. I started using Ronnie all the time too drive my entries I usually gave him the weaker side of the entry but more often than not he was beating me lol. Ronnie used to love driving and also teasing as I would hear lots of joking in the morning over coffee when he would beat me Those were great times and i will always remember them.
You will be missed by many Ronnie
RIP Keith Clark
The General
Being invited over to Ronnie's family’s home, in Edmonton, for holiday dinners or just a dinner in general to ‘catch up’, was always a treat. Living away from ‘home’ has never been easy, but for this Maritimer - a home-cooked meal sure meant a lot and I’ll always be grateful for the kindness and generosity of Ronnie and his wonderful family - wife Linda and daughters Margaret and Katie.
After moving on to London, in 2013, one of the first phone calls I’d receive, here, was from Ronnie. His cheerful and supporting words always meant so much - he was so genuine. And the calls and messages never stopped. We remained close friends all along and for that I will always be grateful. We’ll miss you Ronnie!
Sugar Doyle