Obituary of Grant Samuel Schmick

May 22, 1952 - Calgary, Alberta

May 29, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Grant Schmick, beloved husband of Bernadette Schmick (nee Asbreuk) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, May 29, 2023 at the age of 71 years.

Grant was born in Calgary, AB on May 22, 1952, the youngest and favourite of three kids. Grant had a happy childhood in Calgary where he and the neighbourhood kids would play sports, make mischief, and occasionally light a golf course on fire.

At seventeen, Grant was walking in Calgary, and he passed a military recruiting centre where he learned of the opportunity to enlist and receive a free education. Without discussing with his parents, he signed up and later that year left Calgary for Victoria, British Columbia where he attended Royal Roads University. He studied in Victoria for two years before moving to Kingston, Ontario where he graduated from Royal Military College with a degree in Electrical Engineering and entering the military.

Grant’s career in the military afforded him the opportunity to travel to many places across Canada and abroad including one memorable location, a French course in Ottawa, ON in 1974 where he would meet a military nurse, the love of his life, Bernadette. Despite both Grant and Bernadette being posted to different locations across Canada, their connection continued to grow. After many years of long-distance courtship and at least one awkward Christmas shared with Grant’s family in 1980 on a long road trip together from Edmonton to Ottawa they both knew that they had something special. As fortune would have it, in 1981 Grant and Bernadette were posted to the same city together, became engaged, and were married on July 31, 1982.

Grant was a devoted and proud father to his two sons, David and Kyle. Together as a family they relocated around the world, including Ottawa, Toronto, Germany, and Winnipeg before settling in Calgary. As a father, Grant was always strong, fun-loving, and kind-hearted. While he led by example, he was always encouraging of his sons to walk their own paths.

Grant’s other love, and the only relationship that can hold a candle to that which he and his loving wife share, is for football and officiating football. Grant first became involved with football in 1974 when he lived in North Bay, Ontario when he began refereeing games. Lately, Grant has contributed in uncountable ways to Calgary and Alberta football both on the field as an official and off the field with the Calgary Football Officials’ Association and the Football Society.

Grant is also an avid supporter in organ donation. In 2013, Grant was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with heart failure after falling ill on a trip to South America and Antarctica. For the next 4 years Grant courageously remained focused on recovering and in 2017 received a heart transplant. Despite an initially rocky recovery, Grant was determined not to squander the opportunity that was afforded to him. He set himself a goal to get back onto the football field again to officiate one more game before hanging up his whistle – which he accomplished in 2018. He travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia with Bernadette. However, Grant most cherished being here to see his sons get married and meeting his first grandchild.

After all of Grant’s successes, overcoming heart disease and the associated health challenges along the way, he was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Despite having surgery to remove an affected kidney and courageously enduring difficult chemotherapy treatments, the cancer continued to progress. Grant spent most of the past year comfortable at home but Grant eventually passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by his wife, brother, sister, and sister-in-law.

Grant had an indomitable sense of humor that was often borderline inappropriate and was rarely subtle. This combination could polarize a room, but for those who loved Grant it was a defining part of his charm. You could tell Grant was nearby by his unique and uplifting laughter.

Besides his loving wife, Grant is survived by his two sons and two daughters-in-law, David & Gaby of Calgary, AB, and Kyle & Chelan of Vancouver, BC; and his beloved granddaughter, Zoey of Calgary, AB. Grant is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Paul & Judy of Olds, AB; his sister, Sandy in Naramata, BC; and his best friend since the age of six, Bill of Calgary, AB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Grant was predeceased by his parents Samuel & Ada.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Community (800 – 85th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow. Please RSVP at https://funeralforgrantschmick.rsvpify.com/. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99^th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222 (https://www.albertacancer.ca/), or to The Canadian Transplant Association,  (https://www.canadiantransplant.com/).

In living memory of Grant Schmick, 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.

Click Here to View Grant Schmick's Memorial Card