Russell F. Grant
May 1,1926 – November 11, 2021
After a lengthy journey with dementia, Russell Grant passed peacefully to Paradise. He is survived by his loving, faithful wife of 70 years, Mary (née Powers), and his six children: Kathleen (Martin Haché), Allison (Terry Fagan), Jeffrey (Catherine Gilhooly), Stephen (Wendy Garvey), D’Arcy (Fitzi Thomas), and Angela (Mark Saunders), 22 grandchildren,dozens of great-grandchildren and many loved nieces and nephews. Russell was predeceased by his parents George and Bertha, his five siblings, and his infant son Vincent.
As a young man, Russell studied for the priesthood, and though his life followed a different direction, his deep faith in God was always his strength and his guide. Early in their marriage, he and Mary were founding members of St Jude’s Parish in Hawkesbury. Upon their move back to Ottawa, Russell went on to serve his parish of Our Lady of Fatima as President of the parish council, a cantor, a choir member, collection counter, and an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served the Ottawa Cursillo Movement for many years. After a career in the pulp and paper industry, he became a dedicated and well-respected teacher of mathematics and physics at St. Patrick’s and St. Pius X High Schools, as well as co-founder and principal of St. Thomas More High School.
He took great pride and delight in his family, and was the master gravy-maker every Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving when he and Mary hosted their ever-growing family at “2060” until 2018. A true “gentle” man and patient soul, he never let his hearing impairment stop him from tutoring students after his retirement, or from attending family concerts, plays, and celebrations. He’d beam with pride watching his many family members share their talents. In later years, the quality of his – and Mary’s – life improved greatly when he received his cochlear implant. He loved having his cat Tonka on his lap in their favourite chair in the sunroom. Nothing pleased him more than an unexpected visit from a child or grandchild. Russell also enjoyed tending to and sharing tomatoes from his many plants that supplied his daily toasted tomato sandwich habit. “The Geezer” was an unapologetic and relentless punster. (Collective groan, please…)
Russell lived his final years at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Home in Kanata, ever professing his love for Mary (77% !) in his dwindling cognitive moments, and was lovingly cared for by the staff and devoted LHIN PSWs.
A private funeral will be held. The funeral will occur on Friday, November 19th at 11am. As the service is private, for those who wish to participate virtually, please use the link below. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Action Life Ottawa or The Shepherds of Good Hope.
Rest in peace good and gentle husband, sweet Daddy, loving Grampa Russ.
Russell Grant Funeral Service LiveStream Link .
Friday November 12th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Grant Russell Friday November 12th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario