Graydon Hefferman was born on September 27, 1944, in Timmins, Ontario. His father, Joseph, worked for the Hollinger mines. Graydon was the youngest of four children, with siblings Joyce, Elsie, and Bruce, who have all since passed away. In 1946, his mother, Violet, moved with Graydon to Toronto, leaving his siblings with their father. Graydon's early life was challenging, and he often said that his life truly began when we married in May 1966.
Our lives were blessed with the arrival of our eldest daughter, Kimara, in September 1969, and our joy was complete when our youngest daughter, Tanya, joined us in April 1972. Graydon took immense pride in his girls, cherishing every moment spent with them. His love extended to his three grandchildren, Rachel, Riley, and Nicolas, and his great-grandson, Oliver.
Graydon's love of music and his talent for playing any instrument he touched enriched our lives. His creativity shone through the many characters he invented, from Jelly Bean and Neat-O the clown, to Marshal Dan Colby, and then ultimately taking on the most magical persona of all, Santa Claus. Each one brought joy, laughter, and happiness to so many. He had a special way of spreading cheer, always responding, "I'm a lucky man," when asked how he was doing, and he truly was.
Graydon lived a full and rich life, leaving behind a legacy of love and laughter.
Enjoy pickin' and grinnin', my darling. Wait for me on the far side shore of Jordan.
Love, Margaret and your girls