Obituary of Henry Grant Slezak

May 30, 1960 – Neepawa, Manitoba

December 29, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Henry 'Grant' Slezak passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, after a long battle with lung cancer. Grant was born on May 30, 1960, in Neepawa, Manitoba, to Lawrence and Verla Slezak. He spent most of his school years in Neepawa. After high school, Dad headed west to find fame and fortune. Having a love of the land from farming with his dad, uncles, and cousins, it wasn’t surprising that he sought work outdoors with men and equipment.

It was there, on his first pipeline job, that he found his passion in the Canadian oil and gas industry. In 1981, after an accident that required extensive time off, he headed home for some TLC that only a mother can provide. It was during this time off that he would meet his future wife and partner, Leann Beth Slezak (nee Drayson). Mom and Dad were married, and for the next 39 years, they loved, laughed, and raised their family, fighting through the good times and the bad, making mistakes, making bigger mistakes, but eventually realizing they were far better off together than apart. Adding to the mix, Andrew Cody was born in 1984, followed by Michael Ryan in 1987.

Dad remained at home while the boys were young, taking jobs where he could. His best times were spent with his boys, being a Beaver leader with Boy Scouts, a hockey and baseball coach, camping, or just hanging out. The opportunity to move back west came in 1992, and off they went.

Dad and Mom built two companies, both oilfield-related; the first didn’t last long, but they persevered, and out of sweat, hard work, and a love of doing what you do, their last company has survived 25 years and counting.

Besides his loving wife and partner of 40 years, Dad is survived by his sons Andrew and Michael, his grandchildren Arianna Rose and Caden James, who gave him so much joy and pleasure, his sisters Bev (Ken) Donaldson and Tannis (Barry) Slezak, his brother Rick (Laurie) Slezak, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. Dad was predeceased by sisters Dawn Leann Wharton and Sharon Leigh Buchanan.

Dad wasn’t a big “in lieu of” type of guy, but if you need to spend your money, spend it on your family, take them out for dinner, raise a glass to the old man, recall a memory, and live your life to the fullest.

Funeral Services will be held at St. James Parish – Okotoks (338060 32 St E, Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2) on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 2:00PM with a reception to follow immediately after.

In living memory of Grant Slezak, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.