Stuart K. Graham, founder of Canadian Fine Color Ltd. and the recipient of the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) 1988 Ault Award, the highest award in the North American ink industry, passed away on Jan. 11, 2020 in Collingwood, ON.

Mr. Graham attended Ryerson Institute of Technology, where he was a member of their hockey team. He graduated from the School of Graphic Arts in 1955. With the help of many people, he built Canadian Fine Color Company Ltd. Heavily involved in the graphic arts industry, Mr. Graham was president and director of many industry associations.

Les Watkins, a 50-year veteran of the ink industry, moved to Canada to join Canadian Fine Color, where he would work for a decade and a half. He said he learned a tremendous amount from him.

“I worked for Stu at Canadian Fine Color for 15 years, literally starting with the company two days after I first arrived in Canada,” said Watkins. “In that time, he promoted me from a lab chemist to VP – technology for the company. He gave me all the freedom possible to grow in my career. It was never boring and most of the time was quite exciting. He was fun to be around.

“He was also an outstanding salesman,” Watkins added. “The worst mistake  I ever made with him was soon after I started at CFC when, as a chemist in R&D, I showed Stu an experimental ink I had put together that showed much higher gloss than anything in the market at that time. I knew nothing about how it would work on press but was proud of showing off my ‘shiny print.’ Two hours later, Stu came back with an order for 200 pounds of ink he needed the next day! Needless to say, I had to walk back my enthusiasm!”

Mr. Graham is survived by Diane, his wife of 61 years;  three daughters and their husbands: Lindsay and Jeff Hartley, Sydney Graham, Wendy and Tom Hind; and  nine grandchildren: Ryan and his wife Jessica, Sandy and Mackay Hartley, Adam, Graham and Matthew Cameron, Bryar, Ally and Riley Hind.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Georgian Triangle – Campbell House would be appreciated.

– David Savastano