WILFRED R. DEGRAVES

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THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE WILFRED R. DEGRAVES 1928 - 2015 Wilfred DeGraves passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Grace Hospital. He leaves to mourn his wife Diane DeGraves (nee Lissaman), and his daughters Joan (Neil McKay), Marion and Alison (Paul Legault), as well as his grandchildren Hillary and Brett McKay, Leo and Finlay McKay, Genevieve DeGraves, and Alexis and Monica Legault. He also leaves to mourn his sister-in-law Irene Seredycz, nephews Roger (Georgia) Taillieu, Wilf (Mavis) Taillieu, and niece Marilyn (Lorne) Christianson. Wilfred was predeceased by his daughter Ruth in 2014, as well as by his parents Zelma and Maurice, stepfather Malcolm Shaw, brothers Robert, Edward, Raymond and Marcel. For the majority of his life, Wilf lived in Winnipeg as well as Headingly, Manitoba. He led an eventful and rewarding life. He was born on March 28, 1928 at 128 Bristol St. in St. Boniface, MB, the son of Maurice and Zelma DeGraves. In 1929 he and the family moved to Lilyfield (part of the RM of Rosser) and the family carried on a dairy farm operation there. In 1934 the family, along with livestock, moved to the RM of Charleswood (Headingly) and continued the dairy farm operation there. For those who had the patience and endurance, Wilf would recount his life as a farmer with some embellishment. He left the farm behind in his high school years when he, his mother and stepfather Mac Shaw moved to Winnipeg where Wilf attended Kelvin High School. After high school he went to St. Paul's College and the University of Manitoba and obtained his BA in 1950. Following his B.A. he went to the University of Manitoba Law School and obtained his Law Degree in 1954. In 1953 he was elected President of the Manitoba Law School Student Association. In 1954 he was called to the Manitoba Bar and practiced law in Winnipeg until his appointment to the Court of Queens Bench in 1985. In 1966 he was appointed Queens Counsel. In addition to an active law practice, he was Honorary Belgian Counsel for the period from 1969 to 1975. On October 4, 1985 he was appointed to the Manitoba Court of Queens Bench and presided in both General and Family Divisions in both French and English. While a judge he actively participated in Judicial Alternative Disputes as a mediator and arbitrator. From September 26, 1994 to his mandatory retirement on March 28, 2004 he served in the Northwest Territories as a trial judge. Wilf had an active social life. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed lunching out with friends almost daily. He was a generous, compassionate and loyal friend. He also was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He loved telling jokes but was also a great history enthusiast who made a hobby of researching his genealogy during his later years. The family would like to thank the staff at the Grace Hospital for their care of Wilf, and their support to the family. Donations can be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in St. John Brebeuf Church, 1707 John Brebeuf Place, with viewing one half hour prior. Reception to follow in the church hall. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 28, 2015