Obituary of Graham Willard Brownell, New Victoria

It is with great sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Graham Willard Brownell, 84, of New Victoria on Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.

Born in Wales, Ontario, he was a son of the late Russell and Phoebe (Boles) Brownell.

Graham was a coal miner for 37 years working in No's. 12, 16, 18 and Phalen Collieries. He was an avid hockey fan who loved following the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Graham was also a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. He and his wife, Eleanor, loved going to the Pensioners’ dances in New Waterford and Glace Bay. In his spare time, Graham enjoyed woodworking and built most of the furniture in his house. He was also known for making Christmas decorations which he gave to several family members and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Eleanor (Blois) Brownell; son, Ted (Mary Mansfield), Calgary; step-daughter, Brenda Ford (Robert Newman), New Waterford; step-son, Peter Ford, Saskatoon; brothers, Orval (Becky), Ronnie (Teri), Donnie; sister, Mildred Brownell, all of Cornwall, Ont.; grandchildren, Christopher Brownell, New Waterford, Melanie MacLeod, Halifax, Vikki Ford, New Waterford, Ryan Ford, Saskatchewan; great-grandchild, Benjamin MacLeod, Halifax; his cat, Grey.

Besides his parents, Graham was predeceased by a son, Walter, in infancy and his first wife, Mary (Podgurski).

Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford on Thursday, October 19 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass of celebration will take place on Friday, October 20 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery with a luncheon to follow in St. Leonard's Parish Hall, Convent Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.