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CHRISTOPHER STANLEY RICHARD GRANT

Born: Feb 02, 1940

Date of Passing: Aug 12, 2014

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CHRISTOPHER STANLEY RICHARD GRANT February 2, 1940 - August 12, 2014 Christopher Grant, age 74, formerly of East Selkirk, recently of Blumenort, went to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, at Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, as quietly and unassumingly as he lived. He leaves to mourn: his beloved wife Agatha (nee Fast); sisters-in-law: Eva Fast of Blumenort and Virginia Fast of Steinbach; brothers-in-law: Edmar Fast of Blumenort and Eric Toews of Steinbach, numerous nieces and nephews-in-law; and Cecil and Edwina Hoogenberg and family of St. Andrews, who Chris considered to be his family. Chris was predeceased by: his parents Richard and Mabel Grant of Brighton, England; sister Janet and brother-in-law George Kwon of Vancouver B.C.; and his beloved dachshund Scootie. Chris was born in London, England to parents of Norwegian Decent who perished in the throes of the Second World War while Chris was still an infant. An English governor and his wife of Brighton then adopted him. While in Malaya, now known as Malaysia, father and five year old Chris were detained in a Malayan prisoner of war camp. The Malayan people, who had become very fond of their governor and his young lad were able to free Chris and whisk him on board a ship to London. This heroic action was the beginning of a lifelong love Chris had for the eastern Muslim people. Chris worked at London Museum, Kensington Palace as Museum Assistant for seven years and then at Lower Fort Garry National Park, Selkirk for seven years as technical officer. Although Chris was a graduate of civil engineering, gemmology and microscopy, his love was photography. Chris often would spend hours compiling books of photographs he had taken at weddings of nephew and nieces which he gave as gifts to the delight of the bride and groom. Chris married his love, Agatha in March 20, 1976 during a severe snowstorm. She speaks of him as an aristocratic vagabond. He shared with her his experiences in England competing in Dressage, his exploits in Canada, following and photographing the re-enactment of the route of the fur traders in 1967. Here, abroad and in the Far East his life seemed to have been a life filled with adventure - the stuff that dreams are made of. However, his material needs were simple: a small house, solitude within nature, and pursuing those things he enjoyed: animals, classical music, photography, reading and art. Agatha thanks Dr. Ralf Macek of Stonewall, Dr. Harvey Quon of CancerCare HSC and the nursing staff at Bethesda for the kind compassionate care given to Chris. The Memorial Service for Chris Grant will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014, (today) at 2:00 p.m. at Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church, with Pastor Neill Stitt of River's Edge Church, Selkirk, officiating. Lunch will be served in the lower auditorium. Ash interment will follow at a later date. "Surely He hath bourne our griefs, and carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him." Isaiah 53: 4, 5 Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2014

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

  • I first met Chris when my Mother, Janet, took me to England to meet Richard and Mabel Grant, the couple that had adopted her and Chris. Chris took me on a tour of Kensington Palace Museum which was fascinating. Then we took a day trip to Paris and it's something which I still remember well to this day, over 40 yrs later. I think it really helped to stimulate my desire to travel and see the world. Later, after our trip to England was over and Mom and I returned to Canada, Chris immigrated to Canada and lived with us for a year or two. Then he found that photographer's job and explored much of Northern Canada. He was extremely knowledgeable and I would listen to him for hours as he talked of the landscapes, cultures of the different tribal peoples etc. He was more of an explorer/nomad type of person and found solace in the country rather than big cities. When I think of Chris, I imagine him as a Viking explorer sailing alongside Leif Ericsson, a thousand years ago. He always had that faraway look in his eyes as if he was anticipating his next adventure. Chris was an extremely patient person but there was always a detectable restlessness in him. It was the desire to get moving and see and experience more, I think. Another thing I remember was the fondness that Chris had for my Chinese Grandmother. And she was very fond of him also. There was a gentleness in his face as he patiently listened to her speaking to him in a totally foreign language. The two would sit together, both smiling as they ate my Grandmother's home cooked meals. Every Christmas, Grandma would make enquires about him after he moved to Winnipeg and if I remember, Chris did come out for several Christmas get togethers. He was accepted by the whole family as one of them. When Grandma passed on at the age of 95, Chris drove non-stop and arrived the next day in time for the funeral. Chris and George, my father, were two very different people but it seemed that Chris enjoyed listening to my father's numerous stories and accompanying him on the daily trips to Chinatown to pick up assorted foods and meet my father's assorted friends. Well, actually, Chris had met my father in England during the war, when my father used to sneak out of army camp to visit the Grant's home in Brighton. My mother, Janet, was a nurse at Haywards Heath during the war and that's where my parents met. Anyways, unfortunately over the past few years, I lost touch with Chris. I lost his phone number and I was out of the country traveling for much of the time. However, the memories will always stay with me and I will remember Chris fondly. - Posted by: Richard Kwong (Son of Janet Grant Kwong (sister)) on: Nov 12, 2015

  • My condolences to the family and to Agathe. I have been thinking about my uncle Christopher for the last year and did not have a phone number to call him. Today on remembrance day I was searching for him and found his obituary. I am so sad to hear of his passing. I would love to get a hold of Agatha if anyone could give me her phone number I would love to talk to her. Sincere love and sympathy Lianna Kwong 778 828 6050 - Posted by: Lianna Kwong (Grand neice from Vancouver) on: Nov 11, 2015

  • My Dear Agatha, our hearts are with you these days! May our wonderful Lord bring you comfort. What a rich life Chris lived! Our most vivid gift from our wedding was Chris' book and how he emotionally connected with us, and so beautifully captured those moments! We love you Agatha and Chris So much! XO the St Hilaire family; RenĂ©, Patty-Jean, Selah, Joash, Elousia, Israel, and Shilo. - Posted by: Patty-Jean and RenĂ© St Hilaire () on: Aug 24, 2014

  • Chris was a customer of ours and a true gentleman in every way possible. We enjoyed his visits and the little treats he so often brought us. Rest in peace Chris. We will miss you - Posted by: Dave & Emiy Kraus (Friends) on: Aug 19, 2014

  • Chris will be missed greatly. Even after leaving Lower Fort Garry, I would bump into him in East Selkirk. He was a kind, gentle and knowledgeable man. Sincere sympathy to Agatha and Family. - Posted by: Louise Yokimas (friend & fellow co-worker at Lower Fort Garry) on: Aug 16, 2014

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