Obituary of Alfred Joseph Mario Grant
STANDFAST
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our loving husband and father, on February 14, 2023 at his home in Lakeville, surrounded by the love of his family after he courageously fought a long battle with cancer. Alfred Joseph Mario Grant was born down by the sea on October 3, 1946, in the Burin Cottage Hospital and he grew up in Lawn, Nfld. Alfred (Doll, Alf or Al) was the third child of seventeen (317), born to his late parents, Alfred Grant of Lawn and Annie (Ryan) Grant of Red Island, Nfld.
Al had a warm and engaging personality and he was a dedicated son and loving brother who wholeheartedly enjoyed being a part of a big Scottish/Irish family. He loved to spend time with his ten brothers, Mike (Mary), Joe (Millie), his Irish twin-Gary (Dorothy), John (Helen), Mario (Maureen), Charles, Noel (Melita), Cyril (Dorothy), Jim (Shirley) & Danny (Lisa); six sisters, Emily (Glen), Ursula (Gary), Anne (John), Kay (Terry), Rose-predeceased (Greg) & Mary (George) and with his lifetime best pal, Phonse Manning. He spoke very highly of his home town, his wonderful childhood memories, and his family and friends from Lawn.
After high school, Al received his teaching certificate from Prince of Wales College and taught school briefly in Angels Cove on the Cape Shore before kicking off his career in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Avionics trade. For almost 30-years Al proudly served his country, living across Canada and travelling all over the world. He was posted at CFB Esquimalt, CFB Comox, CFB Edmonton, CFB Shearwater (3 postings), CFB Chatham, CFB Montreal, and retired as a Master Warrant Officer at CFB Greenwood. Al was involved in NATO missions (awarded the Sharp Guard Medal) and he also worked on the HMCS Skeena, Nipigon, Fraser, Algonquin, and Ottawa. He also owned and operated Grant Electronics for many years.
Early in his military career he met his beautiful, fun-loving wife of 56-years, Ellen on a blind date on Valentine’s Day and they later welcomed two children, Danny Grant (Natalie Morin) of Montreal and Tonya Grant (Jeff Connors) of Halifax. Al had a kind, loving heart and he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was very proud of the adults his two children grew up to become. Al taught his children the love of reading, sports, travel, education, music, and to admire nature: to watch for sunsets, play in the ocean and to look deeply into starry nights. He was a brilliant Dad who got up early for sports practices, took his kids to the library, made backyard hockey rinks, lit up the house for Christmas, and he was there to cheer on any trendy or long-term interests his kids or grand-kids wanted to do.
Al also taught his children the importance of believing in people, keeping a positive attitude, connecting with others, and to lend a helping hand whenever you can. Al was happily known as “Papa” to Tanner, Logan, Chloe, and Alex; he thought the world of them. They brought great joy to his life and he was very proud of them and of his many nieces and nephews. He enjoyed watching his grandsons play hockey and he loved to hear his granddaughter play piano.
Al was a man of high integrity and a loyal friend who was always able to find the good in most situations. He had a wonderful sense of humour, he always enjoyed a good chat and was a great storyteller. Al was a compassionate person who encouraged and inspired people to reach their goals, he always took the time to show interest in others and he helped many people over the years to weather the ups and downs of life.
In retirement, Al settled in the Annapolis Valley, near his in-laws the Moore family where he enjoyed many Apple Blossom Parades, walking on his trails with his beloved dogs, summer visits with the grandkids, blue grass festivals, backyard campfires, camping trips to Rissers, family parties, and trips down South and to Montreal. He joined the Royal Canadian Legion in Kentville, worked in real estate with Ellen for many years, and volunteered at the Canadian Red Cross and Open Arms Resource Center. Al loved to dance, play guitar, sing Newfie songs and Christmas Carols, BBQ, go on road trips, play soccer, play golf, and go to the beach. He faithfully watched Hockey Night in Canada to cheer on the Habs and returned to Lawn every year for visits packed full of fishing, camping, hiking, family dinners, weddings, and many late evening music jams.
Al was a strong person who achieved his life goals and he also persevered and fought hard through a few life-threatening illnesses with grace and grit. During the uncertain times of the pandemic, he connected with his family on numerous zoom parties to share music and to catch up on the news. Al leaves behind many family and friends including his cherished older kin, mother-in-law, Catherine Moore, and his aunts, Loretta Edwards and Marie Higgins. It is hard to say farewell to our amazing Husband, Dad, Papa, Brother, Brother- in-Law, Uncle, Father-in-Law, Nephew, Cousin, Mentor and Friend. Al was generous with his love and he had a passion to create a wonderful life for his loved ones.
“We are so very grateful for the time we had with him and for the light he brought in our lives.”
The family is thankful beyond words to our family and friends from near and far who keep in touch, travelled from Nfld, Ontario and Quebec, sent cards and meals, stopped by, played music, provided respite, did chores, and brought comfort, care, and cheer during a very heavy time. The family is also thankful to the VON, the Continuing Care Team and the Palliative Care Team, as well as his Quebec travel nurse, Mary-Lou Foley, for the care and compassion they shared with Al. A very dear and special thanks goes out to family nurses, Kay Grant and Mary Baggs, for their outstanding care and generous support over the past 16-months and to our spiritual guide Ursula Handrigan who kept us connected.
A celebration of life will be held in Lawn, Newfoundland in summer 2023. If you wish to honor Al, memorial donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Kentville Legion, Branch No.6, (902-678-8935) or to Open Arms Resource Center in Kentville (902-365-3665).
When I reach that last big shoal,
Where the ground swells break asunder,
Where the wild sands roll to the surge's toll,
Let me be a man and take it,
When my dory fails to make it.
Take me back to that snug green cove,
Where the seas roll up their thunder,
There let me rest in the earth's cool breast,
Where the stars shine out their wonder,
And the seas roll up their thunder.
-The Irish Descendants
Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
