DE GRAAF, Arie

de GRAAF

ARIE “ART” REINDERT de GRAAF rode the last mile on his beloved Harley just before sunrise on May 20, 2019, passing away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge at the age of 87.

He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Thea; his children, Jane (Don), Sid (Mel) and Archie; his grandchildren, Tara, Sabrielle, Tori, Kaelin, Lian and great-grandchild, Bodhi.

Art was born in Julianadorp, North Holland on February 27, 1932. After marrying Thea in 1957, the young couple immigrated to Edmonton with $200 and not a word of English.

In 1968 Art brought his family to Lethbridge to supervise the construction of the the city’s first shopping mall, College (Woolco) Mall, the city’s first high rise, Frandsen Manor (now Skyline Terrace), and one of Lethbridge’s first fine-dining establishments, Hy’s Steak House (at the location of the current Montana’s). He was also involved in building countless houses and apartments throughout the city. He worked on many projects in Alberta and BC, including several schools, warehouses and the Hudson Hope Dam. Art was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting, quadding, and snowmobiling. He played golf at the Country Club with his golf friends, but his real passion was motorcycles. He cherished the trips to BC and the southern U.S. with his bike buddies.

Art had a good run and proved that mileage is more important than years. Ride on Opa.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care team including Jennifer, Celeste, Brenda and Dr. Stewart.

As per Art’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to the St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre at foundation@covenanthealth.ca.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com