Graham Douglas (Morrison) Best

March 9, 1980 – October 13, 2023

It is with profound sadness that I announce the death of my only child, Graham Douglas Best, on Friday, October 13, 2023. Graham died in Vancouver at the age of 43 from a traumatic brain injury suffered during a fall. With the help of a respirator, Graham's body supported his lungs and left kidney until they were harvested for transplant on October 19.

Graham was born on March 9, 1980 at the Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His love of animals began a few days later when his first dog Jesse eagerly welcomed him to the family. Being a Welsh Corgi, she took her job of "herding" Graham very seriously making sure he stayed on his blanket and in his yard. During Graham's teen years his best bud and constant companion was his Rotti, Tryffle.

Graham attended the first 3 years of school in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, completing his education in Sexsmith and Grande Prairie, Alberta. At 17, Graham began his 15-year career in the oilfield, holding various positions on the rigs and acquiring his Class 1 License. He loved the long hours and hard work and bought his first house in 2004. He was so proud of his home, welcoming family and friends to share in his enjoyment of this accomplishment.

His easy laugh and exuberant personality won Graham many friends over the years. He could be a real jokester, his Mom being the easiest to dupe! These traits resulted in the close relationships he developed over the past few years in the Downtown East Side (DTES) of Vancouver. When we watched Graham interact with his friends on the DTES, we noticed they always embraced and said "love you bro" when parting. Graham explained so many have died here. We never know if we will see each other again. They wanted each other to know they were loved and valued.

Graham is survived by his mother Debra Morrison and Gerry Boyd who stepped up to the role of father, providing Graham with unconditional love, encouragement and candid conversation. He is also survived by two sisters Cheryl Graves (Wendell Browning, Jessica and Lucas) and Katherine (Joe, Kendell and Sidney) Vignati both of Nova Scotia; maternal uncles and aunt, Mark Morrison of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Grant Morrison (Kelly) of Victoria Vale, Nova Scotia and Judy Pearson of Grande Prairie, Alberta; paternal aunts and uncles Wanda, Catherine, Lynn, Allan, Charles, Kevin and Mark. Graham is also survived by his great uncle Bert Morrison of Glenelg, Nova Scotia who lived with us whenever he was working in northern Alberta. He and Graham had a special bond. Graham is also remembered by his maternal cousins Kristi, Adam (Natalie), Ben and Caleb (Alandra) and Gerry's children Amanda (Caleb), Taryn (Regan), Megan and Nate (Michele).

Graham was predeceased by his father, Graham Leslie Best in 2014. He was also predeceased by his paternal grandparents Leslie and Edna Best and his maternal grandparents Doug and Alice Morrison.

Having lived in the DTES of Vancouver for the past 8 years, Graham built another, much loved family that included Marcel L'Herault, Graham's best friend and fiercely protective "big brother". Other friends and support workers include Marissa, Robin, Darcy, Josh, Jordan, Petra and Les. We were grateful for the opportunity to meet Graham's friends during our visits to Vancouver. They embraced us and shared pieces of their lives and stories about Graham with us.

Our heartfelt thank you to Dr. Erik Vu and Graham's nurses in the ICU of the Vancouver General Hospital for their respectful care of Graham. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

In memory of Graham please consider donations to your local food bank, mental health association or resource centre for suicide prevention. Socks, underwear, toques, gloves, hand/foot warmers and warm coats donated to your local shelters and outreach teams would be greatly appreciated.

Services to honour Graham's life will be held.

People's Church

11850 108 Street

Grande Prairie, Alberta

Friday, October 27 @ 3:00 pm

Officiated by Pastor Bob Bidwell

Middleton Funeral Home

398 Main Street

Middleton, Nova Scotia

Friday, November 10 @ 2:00 pm

Officiated by Reverend Valerie Taylor

Interment in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middleton, Nova Scotia