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GRANT CLEMENTS Obituary pic GRANT CLEMENTS Obituary pic

GRANT CLEMENTS

Born: Apr 24, 1934

Date of Passing: Apr 10, 2014

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GRANT CLEMENTS It is with great sadness we have had to say goodbye to Grant Vincent Clements, our loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He passed away peacefully in Palm Springs, CA at the Eisenhower Medical Centre on April 10, 2014 with his loving family with him. He was just shy of 80 years of age and leaves behind: Mary, his wife of 55 years; children Lynn (Glenn), Jeff and Kelly (Jeff); grandchildren Jaclynn and Robyn, and one great-grandchild, Levi. Grant was born to the late Harry Clements and Florence Hayter on April 24, 1934 in White Sands, PEI. He was the eldest child of the family, predeceased by his brothers William, Angus and Winston; leaving his two sisters Shirlene Keenan and Linda Clements. He grew up and went to school in White Sands, PEI while working on the family potato farm. He was a passionate hockey player in his youth and in his late teens left and went to Prince of Wales College. Grant briefly taught for two years in the early 1950s in Wood Islands, PEI before embarking upon a career in the R.C.A.F. After completing his NAV training in 1957, he got his operational training in CF100s in Cold Lake, AB in early 1958. This started a career of thousands of hours flying in a variety of fighter squadrons navigating CF-100s, CF-101s and T-33s. This took him and his family to live all across Canada and Europe including Belgium, France and Germany. His biggest passion in the military was buzzing around up in the clouds, most clearly articulated in one of his favourite poems, High Flight'. After his flying days, he became Base Commander of CFB Beaverlodge, AB from 1973 to 1975. He ended his military career in Winnipeg as one of the original members of Air Command and worked there in Plans until his retirement as a Major in 1981. One to never slow down, the next career would be real estate, joining his wife shortly after his retirement from the military. Grant was still actively working in the business this year with his daughter Kelly. He spent 33 successful years selling, inspiring, mentoring and educating many. He was generous with his time in the community, with friends and business associates. His biggest community accomplishment was his high level of involvement in the Minor Hockey Association in the 1970s in Comox, BC. Outside of his work, he had a variety of interests: travel, reading, golf, hunting, fishing and of course the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets. One of the big occasions every year - one he never missed in over 35 years - was the September Ashern One Box Sharptail Hunt with all of his hunting buddies. He always let it be known that they were hunting, but never seemed to arrive with any spoils from the hunt. Above all, the most important thing to Grant - Dad - was his family. He met his beloved wife Mary Bilinsky in 1957 and married her on July 5, 1958 in Winnipeg. He was incredibly proud of his three children, two grandchildren and the most recent addition, a great-grandchild. A man of the highest integrity with a strong work ethic. A leader. One of curiosity and passions. A grand storyteller full of love and laughter, he will be sorely missed. Viewing will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, with the service at 12:00 noon in the 17 Wing Community Chapel located at 2235 Silver Ave. off Wihuri (formerly Whytewold Road) to be followed by a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation may be made in Grant's memory. Funeral arrangements are in care of Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk, Manitoba. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2014

Condolences & Memories (28 entries)

  • We just heard of Grant's passing.Just finished reading the obit & realized that today is your anniversary Mary. Our thoughts & Prayers are with you & your family as you go through this life tran sition. One of many "Firsts". We are so sorry for your loss & pray for strength to move on one day at a time. Grant was such a dynamic fellow that he certainly won't be forgotten. We still use those notepads to add order in our lives. - Posted by: D & B Waddington (Ex neighbours) on: Jul 05, 2014

  • My heartfelt condolences go out to Mary and all the family as they mourn the the loss of Grant. I was saddened to hear of his passing despite the lack of contact for more then 50 years. We were RCAF officer cadets together in the '50s. Grant was a good chum, taught me how to drive, we went out on double-dates. Cheerful, ever optimistic, grounded, a salt-of-the-earth type of guy and I suspect he was always thus. May he rest in peace and his family long cherish his memory. David Cummings - Posted by: David Cummings (RCAF Officer cadet colleague ) on: May 03, 2014

  • Hi Kelly & Jeff. My condolences to you. Losing a parent is never easy. Hope things are well with you both. Take care of yourselves during this difficult time. - Posted by: Donna Durnin (Friend & Advisor) on: May 02, 2014

  • Kelly and Jeff - Sorry to hear of your loss. Hold on tight to your memories for comfort. Thinking of you. - Posted by: Shelley Wolovick () on: Apr 28, 2014

  • Mary, I was stunned to read about Grant's passing. My sincere condolences to all of the family. He will be missed. - Posted by: Elsie Burnham (cousin-in-law) on: Apr 28, 2014

  • Dear aunty Mary, Kelly, Jef and family, my deepest sympathies are with you at this time. Grant was a nice man and I always enjoyed meeting with him over the years my leaving in Winnipeg. Walter and family. - Posted by: Walter Oleksiy (Family from Ukraine) on: Apr 28, 2014

  • My sincere condolences to Kelly, Jeff and families. I will always have fond memories of your father. He was a kind and generous man and will be missed very much. Thinking of you all during this difficult time. - Posted by: Pam McLeod (Friend of Kelly and Jeff Clements) on: Apr 25, 2014

  • Mary, Kelly, Jeff and family, Kelly and Grant were the first to welcome us to Winnipeg with the purchase of our home. Grant had that ability to make you feel ok about our posting, he understood how hard it is to constantly be moving. In the process of our move we met Jeff in Nova Scotia and continued that friendship here. You are a wonderful loving family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. - Posted by: Odette and Scott Savage (Friend) on: Apr 25, 2014

  • Mary and Kelly. I was both shocked and saddened to hear of Grant's passing. Kelly your dad will be deeply missed. I worked in his Dr's office. Grant always made my day. He would come into the office and tell me great stories. He had the attention of all of the Dr's assistants at the desk. We looked forward to his annual calendars. Grant was very friendly and very generous. He was a true gentleman. RIP Grant. GZXHQY. - Posted by: Leslie Hrehirchuk (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2014

  • Mary, Kelly and Family, I was greatly saddened and distressed by your phone call with the sad news. Our relationship goes back over 50 years as squadron mates in Bagotville and then again in Comox. His energy and professionalism in his primary duties of navigator on All Weather aircraft was noteworthy. That zeal manifested itself in all other areas of his life. His notable success in his post service career in Real Estate attest to that. Busy as he was in those endeavours he always had time to renew acquaintances with old RCAF buddies, especially at reunions. I will always fondly remember him as Grant Hockey, from his days in Comox. May he rest well after a life of achievements. Lynn Wagar - Posted by: Lynn Wagar (Friend) on: Apr 24, 2014

  • Sending this on behalf of my family, we send our Sincere condolences to Mary & family. We were all saddened to hear of Grant's passing. - Posted by: Trish Stapleton(Maiers) (Family friend) on: Apr 24, 2014

  • My sincere condolences to Mary, Kelly and family. It was a pleasure to have known Grant. Suzanne Hall (retired realtor) - Posted by: SsSuSuS (Re) on: Apr 24, 2014

  • A good man, sincere, likeable and a story teller and that is how I will remember Grant. Mary, Kelly and family you are remembered today and days to come. Grant will not be forgotten. God's comfort to you! - Posted by: Ron Derksen (Real Estate associate) on: Apr 24, 2014

  • Kelly and family: I'm very sorry for your loss. I truly enjoyed my friendship with Grant and will miss him. He was a man of integrity who was compassionate and immensely helpful to me when I needed his advice. - Posted by: Ken Mahon (Friend) on: Apr 23, 2014

  • Grant taught us many Canadian customs and we enjoyed his "generalship" when hunting. We will remember him as a friend and hunting colleague. He will be missed. - Posted by: Fred McMillen and Jim Loomis (hunting friends) on: Apr 23, 2014

  • I don't actually remember when I met Grant, but from day one I knew he was a force to be reckoned with. We met in the real estate business, a business I was in for 30 years, and the word "can't" was NOT in Grant's dictionary. He and Kelly made a superb real estate team, both with smiles on their faces whenever I saw them. My sincere condolences to Mary, Kelly and all the family.....the real estate world has indeed lost a great sales agent. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by anyone who dealt with him. - Posted by: Margaret Glew (Friend/Co-Worker) on: Apr 22, 2014

  • Mary, Kelly and family, my deepest sympathies are with you at this time. Grant was a nice man and I always enjoyed meeting and working with him over the years I knew him. - Posted by: Dave Barton (fellow realtor) on: Apr 22, 2014

  • Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Mary and family. It was a pleasure knowing Grant who was always professional and very helpful in all our Real Estate dealings. He will be missed by all who knew him. - Posted by: Bob and Shirley Carlyle () on: Apr 22, 2014

  • Grant and I flew together on CF101's at Bagotville in the early 1960s and again at Comox in the early 1970's. Our paths then diverged but I have always remembered him as officer who tackled challenges with enthusiasm and skill. Off duty he was a gentleman who made strong contributions of his time and energy to the community. It was a privilege and a pleasure to have known him. My condolences to Mary and the family. Grant Nichols G/C Ret'd - Posted by: Grant Nichols (Flew together in the RCAF) on: Apr 22, 2014

  • I am so sorry for your loss! Grant would help one lucky couple a year commission free. I was one of the lucky ones he helped and I will never forget his generosity! - Posted by: Diana Ginter () on: Apr 22, 2014

  • Our sincere condolences to Mary and family. We have fond memories of golfing with both of you at Desert Willow Golf Resort in the sand traps and coming back to a quality BBQ steak and great wine. We would never run out of things to talk about. His yearly stationery was always greatlly appreciate. He will be sadly missed. - Posted by: Gil and Jeannine (Friends) on: Apr 21, 2014

  • Grant will be sorely missed. Grant was always at hand when needed, both he and Mary helped my family when we arrived in 1982. They helped us find a house and settle in to our new country. If we had a problem, and we had a few, Grant was our go to person. Our condolences to Mary and his family, we have all lost a great friend. - Posted by: Richard Jones (Colleague) on: Apr 20, 2014

  • My sincere condolences to you and your family Kelly. You were fortunate to have worked along side of your father for many years - something many of us could only hope for. I know Grant's sudden passing is a huge loss to you and your family and I want you to know we are thinking of you all as you cope with the upcoming days of saying a formal good-bye. - Posted by: LInda van den Broek (Fellow Realtor) on: Apr 20, 2014

  • Grant was a corner stone in the Past Shooters Assn. of the Ashern One Box Sharptail Hunt. He gave tirelessly of his time and won the friendship and respect of so many fellow hunters, area landowners and event officials. He gave Canada a full career of dedicated military service and was a true gentleman. The Tinsley family has been honoured to have him as a trusted friend. - Posted by: Jack Tinsley (Friend ) on: Apr 19, 2014

  • My thoughts and prayers are extended to Mary, and all the family. It was a pleasure to work with Grant. - Posted by: Lesley Cass (Co Worker) on: Apr 19, 2014

  • I met Grant 21 years ago when I bought my first home from him and Mary. He walked me through the process, like a father would, and almost every year since had paid me a personal visit to deliver his stationery and just catch up. I am very saddened to hear of his unexpected passing as he was a noble man and a true gentleman. Rest in peace Grant. I will miss you. - Posted by: Marilyn McMillan (Friend) on: Apr 19, 2014

  • Grant's sudden passing is a huge loss to Winnipeg's Real Estate community. Grant was the epitome of Ethics and Professionalism. Having the opportunity to work on a real estate transaction very early in my career with Grant, I still to this day....some 23 years later due to his willingness to share, run certain aspects of my practice as I call it "Grant-Style". Mary, Kelly and your family, my condolences to you and Grant, no doubt you've arrived in heaven already reorganizing things. - Posted by: Jeff Stern (Colleague, fellow REALTOR) on: Apr 19, 2014

  • Our thoughts and condolences to Mary, Kelly & family. I always enjoyed working with Grant, such a wonderful man. May your loving memories give you peace, strength and comfort. - Posted by: Heather Rowe-Fahlman & Darryl Fahlman () on: Apr 19, 2014

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