OBITUARY
Clayton Ernest Grenville Bates
May 17, 1921 – August 25, 2018
Clayton Ernest Grenville Bates was a man of many interests as well as being a loving husband and a proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather and loyal friend.
Born in Brandon, Manitoba and raised on a farm at Elkhorn, Grenville attended Burnbank School, Brandon Collegiate and Brandon College. As a boy he was active in elocution, receiving silver and gold medals presented by the Premier of Manitoba, The Hon. John Bracken. Grenville graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Agriculture followed by post-graduate studies at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario.
On August 16, 1944 Grenville married Pat (Daisy) Pattullo in Brandon. Together they delighted in raising their three children.
As the Province’s agricultural representative at Neepawa, Manitoba, Grenville was active in community affairs serving as secretary and president of the Chamber of Commerce and president of the Lions Club and JayCees. Subsequently, he became principal of the Agricultural and Homemaking School in Brandon.
Grenville joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Winnipeg as a farm commentator and host of the television program Country Calendar before moving into television production for CBC Winnipeg, later becoming assistant network supervisor for CBC Toronto.
The Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation conferred an Award of Merit on Grenville for television broadcasting in the field of agriculture. Grenville was president-elect of the Federation before accepting a position on the Faculty at the University of Regina. He completed his career with the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce, Province of Saskatchewan in Regina.
Grenville enjoyed debating current events, watching sports, and was an avid golfer and curler.
Upon retirement, Grenville and Pat took over the Bates family farm at Elkhorn, ultimately residing in Winnipeg. They traveled extensively, visiting Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, England, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Wales, Canada and the United States, including Hawaii.
After Pat’s death, Grenville continued to live in their home at Riverwood Square, where he was known as the resident champion of Wii bowling! He later moved to Deer Lodge Centre and served on the Resident and Family Council, made some new friendships, participated in bowling and bingo (a frequent winner at both) and took fitness classes. He was proud to display each new addition on the wall of family photos in his suite. Among his favourite times were excursions across the river to Assiniboine Park for visits to the English Garden, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden and the Duck Pond, to witness the beautiful, seasonal transitions of geese, ducks, flowers and trees.
Grenville’s greatest joys came from hearing stories of the lives and achievements of his family, and he always showed great interest and pride in them. He enjoyed a special celebration with his family at a reunion held in March 2018.
Grenville was predeceased by his wife Pat (2009) and son David (2013). He is survived by his daughters Diane Bates Christmas (Richard) and Alys-Lynne West (Steve), and daughter-in-law Lynn Bates; grandchildren Dave Christmas (Michelle), Jill Bodkin (Rick), Adam Furgal (Carolina Perez), Joseph Furgal (Kelly Griffiths), Kieran West, Alexander West, Jennifer Bates Lagae (Brent), and Catherine McLeod (Daniel); great-grandchildren Edson Christmas, Ryder Christmas, Brooke Bodkin, Brianna Bodkin, Sebastian Furgal, Sofia Furgal, Lily Bates Lagae, Colton McLeod, and Willow McLeod.
The family wishes to thank the management and staff of Deer Lodge Centre (Tower 5) for the exceptional care they provided in the year-and-a-half Grenville lived there.
A service celebrating Grenville’s life will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 2:00 pm at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Highway #1 East at Navin Road, with (the) Rev. Nancy Finlayson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be pleased by donations in Grenville’s honour to any beloved charity.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Clayton Ernest Grenville Bates 2018..
Death notice for the town of: winnipeg, Province: Manitoba