‘Jack of all trades’ launched

0
144

Deborah Powell



Deborah Powell

BRISTOL – It started with a question from her grandson, Domenic, 6.5 years ago and ended with a successful book launch, December 14, when Charlene Graham (photo) officially introduced her work “Jack of All Trades: A Memoir of John Winston (Jack) Graham” to an audience of over 50 people at the community hall, in honour of her husband.
“Did Grandpa have any dreams?” was the question asked by Domenic Graham. “So many he couldn’t fulfill them all,” was Grandma Charlene’s short answer, but she realized more effort would be needed if her grandson was to know the full legacy of his grandfather who had passed away in 2007 at the age of 65.
Known for his vision, energy and determination, Jack Graham served as Bristol’s mayor from 1985 to 2007. First elected to the position when a proposal to turn the former Bristol mine into a waste landfill site was a big issue, Graham was instrumental in defeating the project.  His contributions to making Bristol “the best place to live” included the purchase and landscaping of the Norway Bay pier and the construction of a new municipal building that includes a large community hall after the old one burnt.
“Jack was also very involved at the MRC level” reminisced Bob Ladouceur, former Mansfield mayor and MRC warden. “He served on a number of committees and had a solid understanding of finances as well as a strong vision of what he wanted to see achieved,” continued Ladouceur. Graham served as MRC pro warden in addition to being Bristol mayor.