The ski community of Cross Country Newfoundland and Labrador would like to recognize, with sadness, the loss of Dr. Francine Lemire, athlete, member and friend, on October 11, 2026. She was 74. Francine of Blow Me Down Cross Country Ski Club, Corner Brook, was named Senior Athlete of the Year in 1988 by Sport NL and to the CCNL Hall of Fame in 2014. Francine was well known for success in Paranordic Skiing. An above-the knee amputee, Francine was taught to ski and compete by her husband and coach Jamie Graham. The highlight of Francine’s success was winning two gold medals at the Paralympic World Championships in 1988, Innsbruck Austria.
Professionally, Dr. Lemire is also celebrated for her distinguished 33-year career as a practicing Family Physician in Corner Brook, and in leadership roles; teaching with Memorial University, University of Toronto and Executive Director/CEO of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. This tenure established initiatives to bring the practice of family medicine into the future. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2023 for her medical and athletic accomplishments.
“I first met Francine when Jamie wanted her to try cross country skiing. The three of us worked together and it was good to be part of the challenges and the victories during the early years.
As Manager for the Canadian National Para Nordic team I was on hand for those first Paralympic medals. I have fond memories of traveling/skiing in Austria after the Paralympics, paddling canoes on Bonne Bay Big Pond, hiking/skiing at Coppermine Brook. I have much admiration for Francine, as a skier, a doctor, and all round good person, and friend. She was a pioneer, a leader in many facets of her life, she will be missed, she will be remembered.”
-Margaret “Muggs” Tibbo
“Francine will be remembered and greatly missed as a powerhouse in the medical community and in the ski community and for me, as a long-time family friend, with three generations of our family sharing in the friendship. I remember her learning to ski snowplowing downhills, holding on behind husband and coach Jamie Graham and then progressing to Gold at the World Paralympics. I clearly remember her triumphant return to the Deer Lake airport, entering through an arch of ski poles held by Jackrabbit skiers! She was a starter at many races at BMD, with rock solid concentration. Using her kick-double pole technique on a prosthetic leg, she skied on Blow-Me-Down Trails and many others, including recent Easter trips to a cabin on the shoulder of the Tablelands. As well, I fondly remember a canoe trip on the Churchill River, Labrador, in 2016, with their family and others. Water, flowing or as snow, was her comfort zone in the outdoors.
As recently as this past winter she and Jamie skied almost every day that was fit (or not fit!) and that she often came back in the afternoon to get in more kms! “
-Judy May
The Ski Community wishes to pass our condolences and thoughts to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Fancine Lemire.