Obituary of Jack Alexander GRANT

May 16, 1946 – Glasgow, Scotland
August 15, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Jack Alexander Grant passed away peacefully at 6:55am on Saturday, August 15, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jack was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 16, 1946. He immigrated to Canada with his parents and sisters in 1959 when he was fourteen years old and settled in Montreal.  Jack was extremely proud of his Scottish heritage. He graduated from Sir George William University (Concordia) in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts and attended McGill Teacher College in 1970.

Education was Jack’s passion and calling in life – both as a teacher and a headmaster.  West Island College was his life’s work and being a Headmaster was a job he loved.  For Jack, there was no greater joy than interacting with students, because for him, it was all about the kids. He believed that education should always focus on giving kids the confidence and the belief that they can achieve anything.  Jack received many professional accolades through the years; he was awarded Most Outstanding Principal Award for Alberta twice (in 2002 and 2003) by the Fraser Institute. In 2005, he received the Alberta Centennial Gold Medal for achievements benefitting fellow citizens, community, and province.  He also enjoyed his work as a member of various Boards; including, Chairman of the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges of Alberta (AISCA), Chairman of River Valley School, Vice-Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and Executive of the Robert Burns Club of Calgary.

Jack loved to travel throughout his life. He was enormously proud that he and Stephanie together had visited in excess of forty countries. He was a passionate Manchester United fan, an avid reader, and an extraordinary cook. He enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren – Brooke, Zachary, and Matthew.  Being able to watch his grandchildren participate in their passions – lacrosse for the boys and travel for Brooke - brought him immeasurable joy. He will be deeply missed.

If the measure of a man is the love and respect he engenders in those around him, then we have all lost a giant among men. May we all see his like again in our lifetimes. There is no salve for his death, but time, and the knowledge that his suffering is at an end.  The grief we feel is his due; a life so well lived should be honoured with such mourning.  As his family, we look forward to a time when we can all remember him fondly, with the joy and laughter in our heart that he created so often and so effortlessly.

Jack is survived by Stephanie, his loving wife of forty years; his children Kelly (Kelly) and Jason; his grandchildren Brooke, Zachary and Matthew; his sister Valerie; his mother-in-law Kay; brothers-in-law Grant (Magda), Mike (Marianne); nieces and nephews Sheona (Victor), Kirsten (Steve), Tavia (Kevin), Peter (Amanda), Karri (John), Lianne (Stephane), Staci (Hugh), Isla; aunt Andree, cousins Joanne, Bruce (Joy), and Andrew. Jack was predeceased by his parents Alec and Janet Grant, his father-in-law Baxter, his Uncle Alec, his sister Janice, and his brother-in-law Bohdan.

Jack’s memorial Celebration of Life will reflect his love of life, family, friends and all the exuberance his life embodied.  The date and time have yet to be determined; as a result, of the challenges presented by COVID. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jack’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Jack’s name to Hospice Calgary either online at www.hospicecalgary.ca or mail to 1245-70th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2X8.

In living memory of Jack Grant, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.