Obituary of Donald Graham Luckham

Luckham, Donald Graham - of Ridgetown, formerly of St. Williams, Norfolk County, passed away at the Village on the Ridge, Ridgetown, on Wednesday April 6, 2016, in his 90th year. Don was born on June 7, 1926 in Simcoe, Ontario. Don was educated at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph and received his Masters of Science in Agriculture (University of Toronto). This is where he met the love of his life Barbara Joy (nee McNicholl) recently celebrating their 65th Anniversary. In 1957, Don and Barbara with their two eldest children, Michael and Pamela, moved to Ridgetown where Don took the position of the Head of Poultry and later Livestock Departments at the Ridgetown College of Agriculture and Technology. Once in Ridgetown, the family welcomed their third child Randy. Don was passionate about Politics. He started his political life in Norfolk County where he held the position of Councillor. In Ridgetown, Don was also a member of Town Council, later became Mayor from 1972-1976 and happily participated in the Centennial Celebration of Ridgetown. Don was the Progressive Conservative Representative for the Kent Elgin District in 1975 and 1977. Don was also a Member of the Masonic Lodge, holding membership for over 50 years in both Port Rowan and Howard 391 AF and AM. Served as Member for 57 years and President of the Ridgetown Rotary Club receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship. Member and Past President of the Ridgetown Golf and Curling Club. Elder at the Erie St. United Church. Don will be greatly missed by his children Michael and wife Yda Luckham of Ridgetown, Pam and husband Scott McKinlay of Morpeth, and Randy and wife Dawn Luckham of Dresden. Grandfather of Vickie Janeczek and husband Pat and their children Grady and Max, Julie Sutphen and husband Edwin, Harris Luckham, Shannon Luckham - Pickard and husband Andrew and their children Clark and Lily, Meghan Metcalfe and husband Matt and their child Rowan, Kerry McKinlay, and Nikki McKinlay. Predeceased by his parents Clarence Farewell Luckham and Sarah Irene nee Graham, brothers Scott, Richard and Robert Luckham and sister Grace Cope. Visitation will be held at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 76 Main St. E., Ridgetown, on Friday April 8, 2016 from 2-4 pm and 7-9pm.. A Masonic Service will be held at 6:30pm. Funeral Service to be held on Saturday April 9, 2016 at 2pm at the Funeral Home. Cremation to follow. Interment will be held at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown. Donations in memory of Don may be made to the Parkinson’s Society or the Ridgetown Rotary Club. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/162418122" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/162418122">Don Luckham</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user27484248">McKinlay Funeral Homes Ltd.</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>