Obituary for Jack Harvey Grassie
Jack Harvey Grassie
March 27, 1947 – March 28, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sad passing of Jack following a short, courageous battle with cancer, just one day after his 76th birthday.
Jack left this world peacefully to be reunited with his beloved, eldest son Brent, his parents George (Bud) and Sarah (Lal), his parents-in-law Joyce, Orris and Connie Steinburg, and cousins Jim Probetts and Mary Grassie.
Left to mourn and cherish Jack’s memory are Donna, his loving wife of 50 years, his sons Sean and Scott who will deeply miss their Dad, Scott’s wife Jenn who Jack loved as a daughter, and his most precious grandchildren Cielo and Maximo. Jack loved being a “Grampy” and several times a year with suitcases packed with surprises Jack and Donna travelled to Calgary to visit and create new memories.
When Jack and Donna married April 21, 1973, he became part of a loving, extended family. Jack will be deeply missed by Diane and Ron Hucal, Pattie and Mark Campbell, Karyn, Nook, Avery, Emily, Hudson and Logan Stolniuk, and Lauren, Jeff, and Reed Lohneis. Also remembering Jack is Susan and John Bothe, Sandy Opruk, and their families as well other friends in Hamiota.
Jack and Donna were blessed to share a special relationship with Jenn’s family in Calgary. Mouring his loss is Carlos, Gloria, Lucy, Karen and Gordon. He will also be deeply missed by his best friend of 60 years Don Kleppe and his wife Paula from Texas.
Jack was born March 27, 1947 to George and Sarah Grassie. He grew up in Weston and attended Cecil Rhodes School and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters degree in Philosophy. Jack worked at Student Aid for several years and then for the Province of Manitoba in the department of Employment and Income Assistance. Jack was a gifted counselor, treating his clients with understanding, respect and compassion. He retired in 2012, beginning a new chapter of his life which he embraced fully.
Jack had so many interests. He loved his daily newspapers which he read cover to cover and always had a crossword on the go. He loved playing Words with Friends and he had a keen interest in current events, politics and human rights issues. Jack enjoyed the arts and cultural events. He was a long-time season ticket holder of MTC, a member of the Human Rights Museum, and each summer he looked forward to Folklorama, the Fringe Festival and Rainbow Stage. Jack enjoyed many types of music and growing up he played the bagpipes.
Jack loved all sports. In his youth he played many school sports but in high school he was introduced to curling. In 1964 with friends Don, Ron and Bob in a field of 312 teams, Jack won the Manitoba High School Bonspiel. Curling became a lifelong passion which he passed on to his sons at an early age. He coached Sean and Scott and their teams for many years. As well he mentored several other junior, men’s and women’s teams, making many friends. Jack began his curling career at Valour Road Curling Club and was a long-time member of the Deer Lodge Curling Club. In recent years he enjoyed curling in the Masters League at Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club. Every January he looked forward to participating in the MCA Bonspiel. Over a span of 60 years he only missed participating in a few.
Jack loved his Winipeg Blue Bombers and was a proud season ticket holder for close to 50 years.
Up until a few months ago Jack played tennis several times a week with his special friends at Taylor Tennis Club. Also for many years he was a member of the Deer Lodge Tennis Club. Jack and Sean enjoyed many memorable trips to tennis tournaments, mainly to the U.S. Open in New York.
Jack loved travelling and was always planning the next trip. He and Donna had many memorable vacations to winter hot spots as well as several places in Europe. A special last trip was a Mexico Cruise with Diane and Ron in November, 2022. Before he became ill Jack was planning a holiday to celebrate his and Donna’s 50th wedding anniversary this month.
Jack’s pride and joy was his family. Donna will always cherish memories of their loving marriage. He was so proud of his three sons, Brent, Sean and Scott and was so interested and involved in their lives. He was always so grateful that he maintained a close relationship with many of the boys’ friends. Welcoming Jenn into our family followed by the birth of his loving grandchildren Cielo and Maximo made Jack so very happy.
Our family would like to thank family and dear friends who have been by our side every day of these past few difficult months. We appreciate all the visits, phone calls, texts, meals and offers to help in any way. Just knowing we were in the thoughts and prayers of so many who care gave us comfort.
We will be forever grateful to Jack’s health care providers who were there for us through this challenging journey. We want to thank Dr. Silagy, Dr. Cho, Dr. Ong and the clinic nurses at Cancer Care Manitoba, nurse Kerri from the home injection program, and the caring staff at the Northway Pharmacy in Charleswood.
Jack spent his final 12 days on the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital. We will always remember with gratitude Annika, the Palliative Care Nurse at the Grace Hospital who facilitated his transfer, and Dr. Ted St. Godard and the dedicated team at St. Boniface whose expertise and compassion provided outstanding comfort care to Jack and our family.
Jack loved all animals, especially dogs. Those wishing to honour his memory may consider a donation to the Humane Society or a Pet Rescue shelter of your choice.
Cremation has taken place. A private family interment for Jack and Brent will be planned at a later date.
Jack was a loving, kind, caring husband, father, Grampy, brother-in-law, uncle and friend.
Our dear Jack, we will love you forever, miss you always and will hold you close in our hearts.
March 27, 1947 – March 28, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sad passing of Jack following a short, courageous battle with cancer, just one day after his 76th birthday.
Jack left this world peacefully to be reunited with his beloved, eldest son Brent, his parents George (Bud) and Sarah (Lal), his parents-in-law Joyce, Orris and Connie Steinburg, and cousins Jim Probetts and Mary Grassie.
Left to mourn and cherish Jack’s memory are Donna, his loving wife of 50 years, his sons Sean and Scott who will deeply miss their Dad, Scott’s wife Jenn who Jack loved as a daughter, and his most precious grandchildren Cielo and Maximo. Jack loved being a “Grampy” and several times a year with suitcases packed with surprises Jack and Donna travelled to Calgary to visit and create new memories.
When Jack and Donna married April 21, 1973, he became part of a loving, extended family. Jack will be deeply missed by Diane and Ron Hucal, Pattie and Mark Campbell, Karyn, Nook, Avery, Emily, Hudson and Logan Stolniuk, and Lauren, Jeff, and Reed Lohneis. Also remembering Jack is Susan and John Bothe, Sandy Opruk, and their families as well other friends in Hamiota.
Jack and Donna were blessed to share a special relationship with Jenn’s family in Calgary. Mouring his loss is Carlos, Gloria, Lucy, Karen and Gordon. He will also be deeply missed by his best friend of 60 years Don Kleppe and his wife Paula from Texas.
Jack was born March 27, 1947 to George and Sarah Grassie. He grew up in Weston and attended Cecil Rhodes School and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters degree in Philosophy. Jack worked at Student Aid for several years and then for the Province of Manitoba in the department of Employment and Income Assistance. Jack was a gifted counselor, treating his clients with understanding, respect and compassion. He retired in 2012, beginning a new chapter of his life which he embraced fully.
Jack had so many interests. He loved his daily newspapers which he read cover to cover and always had a crossword on the go. He loved playing Words with Friends and he had a keen interest in current events, politics and human rights issues. Jack enjoyed the arts and cultural events. He was a long-time season ticket holder of MTC, a member of the Human Rights Museum, and each summer he looked forward to Folklorama, the Fringe Festival and Rainbow Stage. Jack enjoyed many types of music and growing up he played the bagpipes.
Jack loved all sports. In his youth he played many school sports but in high school he was introduced to curling. In 1964 with friends Don, Ron and Bob in a field of 312 teams, Jack won the Manitoba High School Bonspiel. Curling became a lifelong passion which he passed on to his sons at an early age. He coached Sean and Scott and their teams for many years. As well he mentored several other junior, men’s and women’s teams, making many friends. Jack began his curling career at Valour Road Curling Club and was a long-time member of the Deer Lodge Curling Club. In recent years he enjoyed curling in the Masters League at Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club. Every January he looked forward to participating in the MCA Bonspiel. Over a span of 60 years he only missed participating in a few.
Jack loved his Winipeg Blue Bombers and was a proud season ticket holder for close to 50 years.
Up until a few months ago Jack played tennis several times a week with his special friends at Taylor Tennis Club. Also for many years he was a member of the Deer Lodge Tennis Club. Jack and Sean enjoyed many memorable trips to tennis tournaments, mainly to the U.S. Open in New York.
Jack loved travelling and was always planning the next trip. He and Donna had many memorable vacations to winter hot spots as well as several places in Europe. A special last trip was a Mexico Cruise with Diane and Ron in November, 2022. Before he became ill Jack was planning a holiday to celebrate his and Donna’s 50th wedding anniversary this month.
Jack’s pride and joy was his family. Donna will always cherish memories of their loving marriage. He was so proud of his three sons, Brent, Sean and Scott and was so interested and involved in their lives. He was always so grateful that he maintained a close relationship with many of the boys’ friends. Welcoming Jenn into our family followed by the birth of his loving grandchildren Cielo and Maximo made Jack so very happy.
Our family would like to thank family and dear friends who have been by our side every day of these past few difficult months. We appreciate all the visits, phone calls, texts, meals and offers to help in any way. Just knowing we were in the thoughts and prayers of so many who care gave us comfort.
We will be forever grateful to Jack’s health care providers who were there for us through this challenging journey. We want to thank Dr. Silagy, Dr. Cho, Dr. Ong and the clinic nurses at Cancer Care Manitoba, nurse Kerri from the home injection program, and the caring staff at the Northway Pharmacy in Charleswood.
Jack spent his final 12 days on the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital. We will always remember with gratitude Annika, the Palliative Care Nurse at the Grace Hospital who facilitated his transfer, and Dr. Ted St. Godard and the dedicated team at St. Boniface whose expertise and compassion provided outstanding comfort care to Jack and our family.
Jack loved all animals, especially dogs. Those wishing to honour his memory may consider a donation to the Humane Society or a Pet Rescue shelter of your choice.
Cremation has taken place. A private family interment for Jack and Brent will be planned at a later date.
Jack was a loving, kind, caring husband, father, Grampy, brother-in-law, uncle and friend.
Our dear Jack, we will love you forever, miss you always and will hold you close in our hearts.