Vittal, as he was fondly called by everyone in the family, Swaminathan was the middle of three brothers - sons of Mr. Ananthavenkatarama Iyer, hailing from Batlagundu, a farming village near Madurai, a city in South India.
Suseela, his dear wife for 53 years, and Rajendran, his adopted son, were his closest family members, on whom he showered unconditional love and affection.
After living in many cities around the country during his years in the IAF, he set up shop briefly in Chennai, before moving to the hometown of his wife - Salem. He spent nearly 15 years there, helping his son finish school with flying colours.
During the late nineties, he moved back to Chennai, and along with his wife, stayed with his son and daughter-in-law Radha Vembu.
Aditya, his grandson and newest recipient of his pampering love, was born in 2000, and T-Rex, his favourite pug dog, and hero of many a poem he penned, came into the family in 2012.
After 84 years of a happy healthy life spent never too far from the doting affection of his loving family, he spent a week in the ICU, and breathed his last one fateful evening.
Here is wishing he spends a lot lot longer in our memories.

Paul Graham gently passed away surrounded by his girls on January 28, 2016 in Kelowna, BC.

Born to Margaret and Thomas Graham, Paul grew up in Toronto with four brothers: John, Gerry, Leo, and Peter. He was also very close with his many ‘kissing’ cousins and extended family in Ontario. Summers were spent in Georgian Bay where Paul developed a love for boating and spending time on the water with friends and family.

While attending Ryerson University, Paul worked summers as a waterski instructor at the Delawana Inn where he met Helen. They married in 1973 in Toronto and Paul graduated shortly after. Paul’s career in hospitality brought him to work at Aston Resort, the Ontario Government Protocol Office, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Windemere House, and Minaki Lodge. His passion for looking after people created a lasting impression on the many guests and staff he touched over the years. Paul retired after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Paul was an incredible father to Andrea and Clare. He raised them with love, integrity, and a sense of humour. Despite the challenge of living with Parkinson’s, Paul always stayed positive. His girls were first and foremost and he gave them a beautiful life. The love Paul and Helen shared is undeniable. It is the type of true love that lasts forever.

His greatest passions were family and friends and his social network spread across Canada and Australia. Paul’s genuine smile inspired the same in everyone he met and he used his ‘dad’ humour to break the ice at any opportunity. Under that humour was a generosity and selflessness that shone through. Paul always said he wanted to be a positive influence in people’s lives and he lived this goal out daily.

Please join us in sharing your memories of Paul.

He lives on in our hearts.
Andrea, Clare, and Helen

If you wish to make a donation, we would like to support ongoing research for Parkinson’s Disease,
https://www.parkinsons.ca

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Koser, Douglas Rolland passed away on January 6, 2016 in Weatherford, TX. Douglas was the oldest of 3 children born in Lincoln, NE on August 5th, 1925 to George Rolland and Margaret (Rathburn) Koser. Doug started his life on a farm assisting his family in the Dairy Business, enlisted into the Navy at the age of 18 to serve his Country in World War II. Assigned as a signalman to the USS Gambier Bay, he survived the sinking of the ship off the island of Samar, Philippines on October 25, 1944 by floating in a net life boat for 2 days in the Pacific Ocean until rescued. Ironically, it was aboard another aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise that he met his future wife Florence (Darrington) Koser, one year to the day of the sinking while docked in the New York harbor during a Navy day celebration. After the war, Douglas and Florence returned to Lincoln where they both worked in the family owned business, Koser Supply Company a Wholesale Plumbing and Heating Company. Upon retirement they moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida so they could continue their passion for playing golf, Doug taught Flo how to golf in their earlier years and both were fierce competitors in the sport. In 1999, they moved to Weatherford, TX to be closer to their daughter Susan and live out their remaining years of their lives together. Their union produced 3 children, Robert, Stephen and Susan, 4 grandchildren, Jason, Henry, Myles and George Koser, and 1 great granddaughter Mia Koser all of which are still surviving, along with his sister Jolene Weart.

Michael Rubrecht, 61, passed from this life on January 16, 2016, at home in Ferris, TX after a year long battle with esophageal cancer.

Michael was born on May 31, 1954, in Frankfurt, Germany to Jacob and Mercedes Rubrecht.
He is survived by his wife, Angela Bivings of the home, sisters Sandra and husband Bud Wilkinson, Mary Elizabeth and husband Al Crider of San Antonio, Joanne and husband Scott Barker, of Sequin, TX, Monica Rubrecht of San Antonio, Theresa and husband Wayne Lee of Belton, TX and brother David Rubrecht of San Antonio, TX. Son, Chris Rubrecht and wife Jamie of Cincinnati, OH, daughter, Mackenzie and husband Chris Pasteur of Warren, OR, other children Goldie Jackson of Norman, OK and Kit Jackson and wife Candice of Denton, TX, six beautiful grandchildren, Ashton, Reece, and Jackson Rubrecht, Jenna and Benson Pasteur, and Teale Jackson, six nieces, nine nephews, nine great nieces and eight great nephews and countless friends.

Michael graduated high school in 1972 from Alamo Heights in San Antonio to go on to University of North Texas in Denton where he graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Michael went on to be an entrepreneur with several businesses and eventually went into car sales and finance, he finished his career doing something he loved and enjoyed in remodeling homes.

Michael loved life and spent most of his spare time on Lake Tawakoni enjoying his lake family and friends. He loved to fish, garden, cook and eat great food.

Samuel “Sam” David Green or “Boy” as he was affectionately called by close family and friends.

Sunrise December 28, 1954 - Sunset January 24, 2016

A student at Harnett High School, up to the 10th grade. Sam has worked for the City of Dunn for over 18 years. Sam was a beloved father, a loving brother, uncle, cousin and was called friend by many who know him from his years working for the City of Dunn.

Born to the late Samuel Green of Sumter, SC and Rosetta Porter Green of Dunn, NC. He is preceded in death his Uncle John Henry ”Buddy” Porter and by older sisters Gloria Faye (Dunn, NC), and Rosa Lee Green (‘95) of Raleigh, NC.

Sam is survived one child, Samantha Green.
And step-son, Maurice Smith.

Other Surviving family members include: Attelia “Aunt Tel” Porter. Surviving siblings include Magdalene Saunders (Raleigh, NC), Stella Green (New Haven, CT), Josephine Green (Raleigh, NC), Portia Green (Dunn, NC), Diane Green (Dunn, NC), Evon Green (Fayetteville, NC), Lewis Green (Garner, NC), George Green (Benson, NC), and Renee Green (Erwin, NC). Close friends by the name of Vince Washington (Dunn, NC), Dorothy Blue (Dunn,NC), Anthony Oates (Dunn, NC) Terry Bethea (Dunn,NC) Big Byrd (Dunn, NC) John Boy (Dunn, NC) Sam is also loved and adored by 14 nieces and nephews, a host of great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, great aunts, friends and loved ones, including his special long-time girlfriend Katie Hart, who was also his loving care-giver during his final days.

George Gerakos passed away peacefully on January 26, 2016 with his wife Katherine nearby. He will be greatly missed but will live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved him.

George was born in 1935 in Geraki, a small village in Greece. After growing up during the German occupation in World War II, George went to law school in Greece but dreamed of being an architect. After two years of law school, he had the opportunity to move to the United States and live with his aunt while attending Rochester Institute of Technology. There he studied architecture and art until he was drafted into the US Army, serving two years at Fort Knox in Kentucky (1962-1964) and earning the Army Commendation Medal, the highest award during peacetime.

When he left the army, what little money he had went to his sister’s wedding in Greece, so he was unable to continue his education. He craved excitement and did not want to sit behind a desk, so he returned to his aunt’s house in Rochester and worked in their family restaurant, the Crossroads at Twelve Corners in Brighton. George opened his own Crossroads at Northgate Plaza in Greece, NY the following year.

In 1971, he married Katherine in Greece, and the newlyweds returned to their house in Greece NY where they raised their family and lived together for 45 years. Their daughter, Cleanthe (Candie) was born in 1972 and named for the aunt that gave him the opportunity to come to the United States. Their son, Angelis (Lee) was born in 1975 and named for George’s father. George was very active in the Greek Orthodox Church, serving as President of the parish council, singing in the choir and organizing community events.

In 1986, George and Katherine bought the Crystal Barn, a fine dining restaurant in a historic landmark in Pittsford, NY. Together, they ran the restaurant for 25 years. George loved the restaurant business and was a charter member in the Rochester Landmark Restaurants, founded in 1992. George has been a longstanding member of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society founded in 1950 in Paris to revive the traditions of the royal guild of goose roasters chartered in 1248, having the title Vice Charge de Presse of the local chapter. In 2002 he received the prestigious Silver Spoon Award from the New York State Restaurant Association, a great honor, since it is bestowed on the restaurateur of the year by his peers.

With ailing health, George retired from the restaurant in 2010 but remained connected to the industry as a consultant. George had received a kidney transplant in that same year and also suffered from pulmonary fibrosis. George was fortunate to have had many wonderful doctors and nurses throughout the years. Special thanks goes to his nurse Colleen.

George was predeceased by his parents, Angelis and Panagiota, and his brother Peter. He is survived by his wife Katherine and his son Lee, Lee’s wife Erica and their sons George and Leo; and Candie, her husband Christopher and their son Griffin.

He is also survived by his sister, Cleo and her daughters Zetta and Betty and their families; his sister-in-law Zoe and her children Elena and Dimitri and their families; and his brother-in-law Saki, his wife Mary and their children Bill, Zoe and Olga and their families. He was also predeceased by his aunt Cleanthe, his brother-in-law Vangelis and husband of his sister-in-law, Sotiris. He was also survived by Vangelis' wife Eugenia and sons Laki and Mihali and their families.