JACK GRUNSTEN

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JACK GRUNSTEN

It is with deep sadness, but also immense gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our beloved Jack on March 24, 2025 at age 86 of natural causes.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 60 years, Janet, daughter Laura and son Reid (Keiko) and adoring grandchildren Claire & Elise and Miya & Toma. He will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to have known and loved him.

As they say, you can take the man out of Winnipeg but you can never take the Winnipeg out of the man. Born and raised in Winnipeg, and an Elmwood boy through and through, Jack spent a significant part of both his early life and retirement years in Winnipeg. Jack joined International Harvester in Winnipeg and later continued his career in the envelope business which took him to Calgary, Edmonton (St Albert) and Toronto (Mississauga) prior to retiring back to Winnipeg.

From his memorable days with the ‘Howl Boys’ in Winnipeg, to his enviable days spent at the Glenora Club in Edmonton and the Villages in Florida, Jack was always up for anything that involved sports, sunshine and socialising. A skilled athlete, Jack enjoyed many sports including curling, slowpitch, tennis and pickleball. He particularly enjoyed spending endless hours tinkering with his golf swing, often in the front yard of his beloved cottage at Albert Beach. Jack also spent many years coaching youth baseball; he truly loved being active.

Jack treasured being around his friends and his family. With a cheeky grin and twinkle in his eye, he kept everyone entertained in his own unique way. Whether it be inventing a silly saying, singing a jingle, serving up a funny anecdote or a goofy antic, he kept us all laughing.

His love for his children, grandchildren and most of all his wife and life-long love Janet was profound and will be felt by each of them for many years to come.

Jack’s wish upon his passing was to ensure others could benefit in the future though both transplantation and medical teaching. We are immensely proud and grateful that through Jack’s eyes others will retain or regain their sight and through the University of Manitoba, medical students will gain insight and learnings that will inevitably contribute to more lives saved.

If you wish, a donation may be made in Jack’s memory to the Canadian Liver Foundation, in recognition of our eternal gratitude for the gift of life bestowed upon him through transplantation 26 years ago, almost to the day.

As per his wishes, there will be no memorial service, but we ask all who have known Jack to take a moment to reflect on the joy and laughter he no doubt brought to you and to so many others.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 29, 2025