Graeme Sharp

Graeme passed peacefully with his loving wife Fiona of 38 years holding his hand. His brave fight with cancer and final journey was taken at Hospice Simcoe 13 January 2025.

Graeme touched the hearts of everyone he met through his short time on earth; be it his working career in Scotland and here in Ontario, the Barrie and District Pipe Band or through his avid love of golf.

Born in Scotland 20 July 1963 to Jim and Jeanette Sharp (deceased) Graeme has one brother Gordon still living in Scotland.

Graeme and Fiona met 1985 got married in 1986, then emigrated to Canada in 1991.

Graeme leaves behind his loving son Robert, now residing in London, England with his wife Laura and their son James.  Graeme was a super proud Granda to “Little Man” and loved him so very much.  He enjoyed his visits and Facetime with him; he face just lit up with joy seeing James.

Graeme’s extended family on his mother’s side reside in in Akron, Ohio where he has many loving cousins all of whom treated him like a brother and not a cousin.

He started his four-year electrical apprenticeship at age 16 and loved this line of work, enjoying the challenges and satisfaction it granted.  This career spanned his working life. He was employed by British Leyland, where he served his apprenticeship, DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) and Hewlett Packard UK.  On coming to Ontario, he was employed at Magna working in Dortec Industries in Newmarket and latterly Bradford where he worked his way up the ranks.

Having decided to take early retirement at 55 Graeme was soon fed up as golfing season was over, so he took a part-time job at Coleman Care Centre.  He loved his working role here making many great friends.   They truly are a family and have been very supportive throughout the last 12 months since Graeme’s diagnosis.

Graeme and Fiona were fortunate to be able to travel extensively which always brought joy, created many wonderful memories and were always looking at exploring different countries, sometime having people asking, “You are going where”.  Travel was a huge part of Graeme’s life.

Sincere gratitude is extended to the amazing staff at the Hudson Regional Cancer Centre at RVH in Barrie.  giving special thanks to Dr. Isobel Li, Dr. Jacky Lai for their excellent care, compassion, understanding and support throughout this journey.  A heartfelt thank you to wonderful nursing staff and volunteers at Hospice Simcoe and our family doctor Dr. Michael McConvey.

When I am gone, do not fear my memory.

Do not be afraid to speak my name or look through old photographs.

Do not be scared to play old videos so that you might hear my voice and see me laughing.

I know it will hurt. Those memories will remind you that I am gone.

They will stab at you like a knife in an open, gaping wound.

But after a while the knife will become less sharp, the wound will become less open and the pain will become less raw.

And those memories will remind you that I was here.

That I lived.

Do not reduce my life to my death.

Speak my name, hear my voice, sing my favourite songs and visit my favourite places.

Because that’s how I can stay alive a little.

Right here with you