Graham Roderick Irons

GRAHAM RODERICK IRONS Of St. Marys, Ontario, born March 6, 1958, Chiswick, London, England in his 54th year, died peacefully in his own home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 28, 2011 after a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Beloved son of Kenneth Irons of St. Marys and Margaret and Stan Christmas of Kingston. Cherished grandson of the late Harry and Grace Wright of Kingston and the late Davina Strachan of Dundee, Scotland. Loving husband and best friend of his sorrowing wife, Chimuka and adored father of Kenneth, 14 and Jordana ("Lala") of London, Ontario. Dear brother of his grieving sister, Alison Irons (Greg Watson) of Ajax, Ontario. He will be especially missed by nephew and niece Andrew and Lindsay Wilson of Toronto and Kingston, respectively; by step-brothers and step-sisters in Kingston, Salt Lake City, Utah and Calgary, Alberta; by the Irons, Gibson and Strachan families in Dundee, Scotland; the Wright family of Anza, California; the Sikumba and Dils families of Lusaka, Zambia and Mozambique and the Dunning family of Adelaide, South Australia. Beloved friend of George Zulu and Bruce Barnes of St. Marys, Bob Spooner, John Smulders and Mike and Kathryn Waight and their families of London, Ontario and countless friends and former clients from all over the world, from Toronto to Brussels to Hong Kong to Swaziland, South Africa and Zambia, who so enjoyed his smile, buoyant spirit, infectious good humour and expertise in his craft. In his last few months, Graham was so proud to open his final business venture in St. Marys, "Graham's Barber Shop". Due to Graham's international experience and Vidal Sassoon training, the Barber Shop was an outstanding success from the day it opened. Police and firefighters received a special discount for their community service and valour. It was to Graham's deepest regret that his deteriorating health prevented him from attending to the needs of his many regular clients. He worked as long as he possibly could, loving every moment of the time he spent in his little shop. Many community members have commented to the family that Graham gave them "the best haircut they had ever had". The family wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. William J. Wall, CM., of University Hospital, London, also a former client of Graham's; Dr. Laurie Komorowski, her colleagues and the staff of St. Marys Hospital; Dr. Jim Hiscock of St. Marys; Drs. David Tamblyn, Janis Nicholson, Janis MacNaughton and nursing staff of Stratford General Hospital's Chemotherapy Clinic and Drs. Mark Vincent and Barbara Fisher of the London Regional Cancer Centre Programme. Special thanks are owed to all of the tireless support workers, nurses, coordinators and volunteers from Southwest Community Care Access Palliative Programme, Care Partners, One Care and St. Elizabeth's who made it possible for Graham's Mum and Alison to respect Graham's wishes to remain in his own home. Compassionate care and support were also provided to Graham and his family selflessly and devotedly by Reverend Pirie Mitchell and friend Bruce Barnes of St. Marys during his final days and through many concerned phone calls from Graham's friends. The family also wishes to thank Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Francis of Sebringville and Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Hahn of St. Marys. Following cremation, Graham's family will receive friends and visitors at the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home, 47 Wellington Street, St. Marys, Ontario (519-284-2820), on Thursday, September 1 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Reverend Pirie Mitchell. A reception will then be held at St. Marys United Church Hall from 3:00--4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund for Graham's two young children has been established at RBC St. Marys Branch. Donations may be made at any RBC Branch, to the Kenneth and Jordana Irons Trust Account No. 04262-003-5022264. Graham's final resting place will be beside his beloved maternal grandparents, Harry and Grace Wright, at Glenhaven Memorial Gardens, Kingston. Online condolences may be published at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca "Fight the Good Fight with all Thy Might"