Obituary of David Mansfield Graves
Mr. David Mansfield Graves was born in Penobsquis on February 12, 1932, he was the son of the late Melvin and Delores (Munroe) Graves.
David sold papers and chocolate bars at the Camp Sussex Army Grounds during the war years and always found odd jobs to make money and when he was 16(sixteen) he bought his first car a 1929 Model "A" Ford and was very proud of this car and could be seen tooling around Sussex and Area with his best Buddy "Lorne" (Moose) McQuoid, who passed away a few years ago.
David worked at Dave Aiton's and Shear Sick in Sussex before his marriage in 1951 to Grace M. Dunfield. In 1958, David Accepted a job driving, what else a truck? and he and Grace moved to Riverview and raised to sons Rodney and Dennis. An infant son predeceased he and Grace and their son Dennis passed away in 1995.
David loved fishing and woodworking and built a cottage in Penobsquis and spent many happy days and vacations there, hobby farming, and had many beautiful rare birds, raised chickens, turkeys and pigs and always had a beautiful, bountiful garden, which he shared with one and all. David retired from the shell and moved to Penobsquis, where he renovated the cottage into a beautiful year round home. Grace passed away after a year long battle with Cancer.
David married Laurel Cameron in 1992 and they lived in Penobsquis until they sold their homes and decided to move to Sussex Corner to be handier to town.
David and Laurel enjoyed travelling together and visited many places throughout Canada, USA, Great Britain and the Caribbean.
David and Laurel shared grandchildren from the blended families and David was the best Grampy he dearly loved all his grandchildren and they in turn adored their Grampy and enjoyed rocking on his knee, his story telling and walks in the woods, and fishing at the pond on Fundy Park Rd. David Always told Laurel that women and kids were the best things to happen to him and he truly is the best husband, father and Grandfather and so dearly loved by his family.
He was a member of St John's United Church, Bowling, 50+ Club and he loved to travel.
David will live on in the hearts of his loving wife, Laurel; his son, Rod Graves and Sarah Dunfield of Fundy Park Rd.; two stepsons: Michael Cave (Jean) of French Village, NB and James Cave of Moncton; his grandchildren: Ryan, Rudy, Roland, David (Jocelyn), Anthony (Sara), Shelby, Brianna and Shelby; four great grandchildren: Abigail, Zoey, Hudson and Gracie; his sister, Beatrice Sproul (Eric) of Perth ON; his sisters-in-law, Sandra Cameron of Saint John, Leona Cameron of Delta, BC and Jean Cameron on Saint John; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mr. David Mansfield Graves of Sussex, passed away at the Sussex Health Centre on March 12, 2018 at the age of 86.
David is predeceased by his sons: Jeffrey and Dennis; his brothers: Clark “Tom” Graves (Pat) and John Graves and his brothers-in-law: Claire Cameron, Lloyd Cameron and George Cameron.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176).
A service celebrating David’s life will be held from Wallace Community Chapel on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:00am.
If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the Kiwanis Nursing Home.
