GRANT, Gary Wayne

February 11, 1948 – September 26, 2024 

It is with great sadness that the family of Gary Wayne Grant announces his peaceful passing at home in Vaudreuil following a tumultuous and complicated battle with cancer.

Gary is survived by his partner of 25 years, Shirley Collier; his two loving daughters (with Gail Henry), Nissa (Lori Mathews) and Amber (Ian Haight); and his three granddaughters who were the sweetest loves of his life: Vivienne (Nissa) and Isla and Evelyn (Amber). Gary is also survived by his brother Ron (Soung) in Brisbane, Australia, sisters Jennifer (Gerry) in Pointe-Calumet, Quebec and Christina (aka Tina) (Ken) in Edmonton, Alberta, his two stepsons Jackson and Quentin, as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father William Burton Grant (2003), and mother Lois Anne (2010).

Gary was born and raised in Montreal and Pointe-Claire, bought his first house in Baie D’Urfe, and remained a resident of Quebec throughout his life. He graduated from McGill’s Mechanical Engineering program in 1972 and had a successful career with many turns and challenges on which he thrived.

Squash was his lifelong passion, and he played enthusiastically from age 21. By the time he turned 60, many of his opponents had fallen by the wayside. Finally, in 2019 in Toronto, he won the gold medal as National Champion in the over 70 category and did so again in Montreal in 2023 in the over 75 group. He was a proud, active, and much liked member of Club Sportif Cote De Liesse until illness struck suddenly in early 2024.

His 1961 Triumph TR3A sportscar, which he painstakingly restored with daughter Nissa, was his pride and joy and he was a keen member of the Montreal Triumph Club for many years.

Gary’s main passions, however, were living his sporting, travelling, and quiet home life with his wife, family, and friends. His sense of play, humour, helpfulness, and love of a good story brought joy to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and innumerable others. He will be greatly missed.

In his battle with cancer, Gary remained valiant and determined both in hospital and at home. We wish to thank wholeheartedly the outstanding palliative care team headed up by the caring and devoted primary nurse Valerie and Dr. Sylvie Dufresne, who worked daily with family members to keep him as well as possible to the end.

At home, Gary oversaw car and yard jobs from his wheelchair, enjoyed home cooked meals from bed and table, and talked for hours with family and friends on the deck he built overlooking the lake. He stretched his prognosis of 2-3 months to almost 6, a stunning gift for all. Despite being told it was likely impossible, he wanted to walk again before he died, and he did so just a few weeks before his death due to his daily exercises, determination, and maybe just a touch of stubbornness.

The family will receive condolences at the Voluntas funeral home at 4695 boul. St-Jean D.D.O. from 4 pm to 8 pm Monday, September 30, 2024. We will begin our farewell ceremony at 7 pm. Anyone wishing to share a story or memory will be invited to do so.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the or the Cedars Cancer Foundation.