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Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Grace announce his passing on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton, Ontario. He was the loving husband of Cheryl Grace (nee Strong) for 40 years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Lindsay Grace, and Perrin Grace and his wife, Amy Wang; sister and brother-in-law Kaylen and Loyd Grimm, nieces Heron Weidner, Lauren Ellis and Mary Grimm, and many other cherished family members and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Rosa Nell and Larkin Grace, and his in-laws, Beatrice and Lewis Strong.
Born on March 4, 1942, in Electra, Texas, Mike received degrees in Music Performance and Education from East Texas University and Michigan State University. After being drafted into the US Army, Mike served as a Special Services musician at West Point Military Academy from 1967-1970 before returning to civilian life as a Ph.D student, professional musician, and college faculty member. He toured extensively with his own bands and performed with notable musicians such as Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme’, Rob McConnell, Roger Williams, Louis Smith, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Henry Mancini, Peter Appleyard, Randy Brecker, Rosemary Clooney, and Sonny Stitt.
In 1980, Mike started an illustrious career as a public school teacher at Community High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There he developed a unique program focused on improvisational jazz, taking his students all over the world and giving them the foundation for whichever careers they pursued. His former students’ condolence messages express the profound impact he had upon many of their lives. His teaching was honoured with recognitions such as Disney-McDonald’s American Teachers Award and the University of Michigan Arts Educator of the Year.
Mike shared his musical expertise in the Bruce-Grey area and beyond through performance, teaching and by leading the Saugeen Shores Summer Music Society Jazz program for many years. Mike’s legacy in Summer Music will continue in 2025, co-led by Perrin Grace, Ian Burbidge, and John Mclelland.
Southampton and Canada held special places in Mike’s heart. He was so proud of gaining his Canadian citizenship, loved playing golf, mentoring musicians young and old, and above all, appreciated the kindness, love, and support of all of his friends and family here, and in Michigan and Texas. He loved you all.
A celebration of life will be held during the summer – details to follow on the Eagleson Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of charitable donations to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (smhfoundation.ca/donate/), Summer Music Society (www.summermusic.com/donations), or the Community High School Jazz Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan (www.communityhighjazz.org/)
The family would like to thank all of the outstanding medical professionals who supported Mike through his journey: Colleen Fowler, NP, Doctors Billings, Pace, Chapman, Sandhu, Goodman, Jayaraman and Lamont, and the nursing and support staff in Southampton, Owen Sound, London, and St. Joseph’s in Toronto.
March 4 1942 – March 13 2025 Age 83
Death notice for the town of: Southampton, Province: Ontario
death notice Michael Grace March 4 1942 – March 13 2025 Age 83
obituaries notice Michael Grace March 4 1942 – March 13 2025 Age 83
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Michael Grace March 4 1942 – March 13 2025 Age 83 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
