Don Graves, aged 78, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2024, due to complications following a stroke.
Among other things, Don was a mystery book reviewer who almost exclusively reviewed Canadian books. He was published in the Hamilton Spectator until it was bought out, then he published his reviews online.
Don was a CWC supporting member for many years. In 2012, CWC presented Don with the Derrick Murdoch Award for his contribution to promoting Canadian crime writing.
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Don’s obituary can be found here:
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/dbburlington/obituaries/donald-havelock-graves/124837.html
For me, Don is unforgettable. He reviewed my first mystery novels. His paintings are on my walls. And he always asked after my son, every time we met, because Sam was interested in pursuing a career in theatre.
Your don’t forget someone like Don Graves.
I shall always remember and thank Don in my heart for the kindness he showed to me when I was starting out. He gave me hope and a sense of truly belonging to the family of Canadian writers. I know that there are many more writers out there who have also been helped by Don’s interest and desire to promote Canadian mystery writing, and of course, his great reviews. That is quite tremendous legacy and a debt that will be hard to repay. We will miss him. Canadian mysteries will miss him. Thank you, Don.
Don was my dear friend, mentor, and muse. He was my first Dean at Sheridan, when I started teaching in 1991. For so many years, he was the older brother I never had. He and his wife Ruth (also my dear friend) kept me going after my beloved husband David died in 2019. Don encouraged me to start a new project in 2020, and to write about Gina Gallo’s grandmother (Gina Gallo of the Goddaughter series.) It was his idea. I owe The Merry Widow Murder series to Don, and so much more. The world is a sadder place for me and so many others now. Thank you, dear Bear.
Maureen Jennings June 15, 2024 - 7:14 PM
Bless you Don and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. You were always a kind and generous friend. We in this odd field of mystery owe you a lot.