Grant MCDONALD

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MCDONALD: Grant Finlay McDonald, 72, died Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre from respiratory disease. Grant, born in 1939 and his younger brother Murray (Pat) of Winnipeg were born in Oak Lake, Manitoba to Ida (died 1986) and Ken (died 1992) McDonald and raised on a farm north of town. Ida referred to the homestead as "the beaver dam farm". Growing up on the farm, Grant developed a strong attachment to the landscape and people of Manitoba and this only deepened with time. His favorite place in Manitoba was located on a hill rising above the farm where he could look out and in a long sweeping view see seven towns, the location of the one-room school house he attended and the Johnston Cemetery where his parents were buried; he enjoyed sharing this spot with his family and friends. Grant left the family farm to attend Brandon Agricultural College and graduated in 1958 with a Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba. In 1960 Grant married Marilyn Milne and they settled in Brandon. They had three children together: Kim (Wayne) of Hamiota, Sharon (Eric) of Ste. Anne and Russell (Traci) of Winnipeg. For 27 years Grant worked as a surveyor for the Manitoba Department of Highways, the City of Brandon, Underwood, McLellan & Associates and Zenith Paving. For the past 26 years, he was employed with Crane Steel Structures Ltd, Brandon as a project manager. From a very young age, Grant's greatest joy was to help those who needed help - whether rescuing his brother from a trough of water on the farm, putting together a building system, mowing his neighbors' lawns or shoveling snow from their driveways. Grant always ensured that each experience included a bit of time for a lively conversation. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren, especially during special occasions - festivals, plays, sporting events, graduations - and spending time at his cabin on Otter Lake with his partner of ten years Marlene Campbell of Brandon. For the past couple of summers he enjoyed driving his quad to one of his many friends' campsites searching for a lawn to mow or a friend to chat with along the way. Grant also loved harvest time on the farm. Aside from this, Grant's favorite pastime was playing the spoons, either in his living room with friends or around the stage at the Irish Pavilion during the Winter Festival in Brandon. Grant also loved to dance and he and Marlene took every opportunity to step-out. Grant was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and served on the boards of Trinity United Church and the Otter Lake Development Corporation. He was also a supporter of the Oak Lake Beef Club. In addition to his brother, children and partner, Grant is survived by his grandchildren Paige and Laine Mathison and niece and nephew Heather and Scott, as well as Marlene's family including Lindsay (Lori), Kelly (Kim), Leah-Anne, Alison (Mike) and her grandchildren Deena, Emily, Jessica, Alex, Jordan, Brenden, Tyler, Brandon, Stephanie, Nicole and great- granddaughters Tatum and McKenzie. A Service to Celebrate Grant's Life will be held at Trinity United Church, 1515 6th Street on Monday, September 12th, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Wayne Sanderson will officiate. A private family interment will take place at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Donations in Grant's memory can be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 940 Princess Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 0P6 or to Trinity United Church, 1515 6th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 6B3. Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 10, 2011