Odell, Victor Graham 83 years, passed away Friday March 18, 2011 at Blue Water Health Hospital. Beloved husband of Elaine (McNabb), loving father to Bonnie (Mike Pacuta), and grandfather to John, Katharine and James Pacuta. Dear son of the late Ivy Sarah and Gorge Allen Odell, and dear brother to his sister the late Paddy Allan. Special friend to Steve, and Karen McNamara. Victor, known to his parents and his sister as Graham though called Victor at school and answering to both names throughout his life, battled and overcame Polio as a child. As a young adult, he had many jobs including working beside his beloved father a bricklayer; he lost his father at a young adult but cherished the time that he had with him and was always proud of his father's military service and status as a veteran. Victor had a keen interest in and talent for electricity and electrical devices, installing security systems and volunteering for the Sarnia Little Theatre. He enjoyed helping in production, and tried acting in a few productions. He married Elaine in 1963; they had a wonderful year and Bonnie was born the following year. He always said this was the best year of his life. He was devoted to his wife, daughter, and ultimately his grandchildren; which stayed with him to the very last day of his life. Victor had several jobs to provide for his family during those years - a taxi driver specifically requested by many clients, at the request of the late Peter Henderson; he was the preferred driver for the Henderson family. He was, during these years, a proud blood donor to the Red Cross and received recognition from the Red Cross for giving blood over 75 times. Later in his life, Peter Henderson hired him to do light janitorial work and to complete odd jobs at the Centre at the Bay. Victor loved his time at the Centre at the Bay and, in typical fashion, volunteered at every event organized by the organization. Victor was a man who gave without expecting anything in return, a true volunteer in the best sense of the word. His volunteering activity continued as a member of the founding committee of Snowfest, where he remained involved for the next 20 years. He was a leader in the Community and County Radio Club (CCRC), working every parade and many walk-a-thons. Some other events include the Senior's Boat Cruise and Halloween Patrol. He was very fond of the Big Brother - Big Sister events and proudly wore his T-shirt all year round. . Victor loved Star Trek, and as expected, was heavily involved in the fan club USS Intrepid based in Detroit, working as a security officer at the local conventions, and true to his kind and gentle nature, helping everyone have a great time. Victor loved his older sister Paddy and her beloved husband Jack and, even though there was 19 years between them, they were close, after Jack's death, Victor watched over Paddy for the next 20 years until she joined her husband Jack In his later life, cancer, heart disease and stroke slowed him but Victor retained his cheery disposition to the end. Victor was a devoted husband to Elaine for 47 years and always put her before himself. He asked for nothing, despite his life was often being difficult, yet he always had a positive attitude. Victor was a loving father, he loved Bonnie as much as any father could love his daughter, and was always proud of her and her accomplishments. His love for Bonnie was unconditional and he was always concerned about her well being before his own. Victor was a loving grandfather to John, Katharine and James Pacuta. He wanted only happiness for them through a rich and fulfilling childhood, a sound education and all of the good things that follow. . He was a good friend to many with a kindness and generosity that extended to all; he often took people for groceries or to a doctor. Victor, to paraphrase Will Rogers, truly did not meet a person that he did not like. His last request was request was to extend a heart felt é¢aA"Thank Youé¢a to the staff of VON and the Lambton Elderly Out Reach for their compassionate care. His family is very grateful to the Nurses at the Hospital. If, by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on"; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son! Victor Graham Odell was truly a Man and will be sorely missed by all those he loved and cared for and by those who loved and cared for him.
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