Obituary of James Macgregor "Rory" Grant

With heavy hearts, but also with appreciation for a long life well-lived, we announce the passing of James Macgregor “Rory” Grant, husband of the late Norah “Olga” (Bate) Grant, on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at his residence in Turnbull Home. Born June 20, 1929, in Saint John, he was the eldest son of the late James Macgregor and Laura T. (Burchill) Grant.

Rory grew up in Rothesay, attending both the Rothesay Consolidated School and Rothesay Collegiate School, graduating from the latter in 1947. RCS/RNS and the class of ’47 were always near-and-dear to Rory’s heart. He attended Trinity College, U of T for a year, before returning to Saint John to work with his father at the family business of JM & CW Hope Grant Insurance Ltd. He eventually became President of the firm that was founded in 1873 by his great Grand-Father, James Macgregor Grant. Hope Grant is currently run by son Macgregor.

Dad was a natural athlete – he played rugby and hockey, and did track and field at RCS. In his final year, he captained the hockey team to the District, and New Brunswick & PEI championships, and the rugby team to the City and District championships. He won the NB Provincial Junior tennis championship that same year. Rory played Junior B hockey for the University of Toronto, and was on the Championship Rugby Team. While his father was overseas for 5 years during the war, Rory and his brother Dick taught themselves to ski, and Rory taught himself to figure skate. Later, he was the Senior Men's Champion of the Saint John Figure Skating Club for 4 years. Rory played Senior Hockey as a member of the Saint John Beavers Hockey Team, which won the Maritime Senior Championship in the year 1952-1953. Dad continued to enjoy his love of hockey playing and travelling with the Ken Gents in the Old Timers Hockey League until his late 60's. He was a die-hard Rangers fan.

Rory sailed all his life on the Kennebecasis and the wider Saint John River system, most notably on the Gannet. He instilled in his children and those who sailed with him the true meaning of seamanship: the care and maintenance of boats, equipment and crew. He was a great Captain.

Rory and Olga were very involved in St Paul’s Anglican Church Rothesay. He sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was a Lay Reader for many years. In the late ‘50s early ‘60s Rory was the radio host of Sunday School of the Air. He served on many Boards in the Saint John area: The Wiggins Home, Cherry Brook Zoo, and Symphony New Brunswick. He was a life-long member and supporter of the St Andrew’s Society, the Union Club, and the Saint John Parrtown Club. He was an avid coin collector. In fact, he rarely threw anything away!

Rory is survived by his children: Macgregor (Valerie), Andrew (Kim), Michael (Angela Price), and Norah (Ben Dummett); grandchildren: Jamie (Kiersten), Rachael (Jordan Sawler), Hazen (Joanie O’Leary), Nick, Margot, Caroline, Gillian (Gavin Haigh), Sydney Dummett and Zoe Dummett; Joey Rouse, Nicholas Rouse and Morgan Grant, great-grandchildren, Beatrice Sawler and Juliet Grant; brother, Charles (Cathy); sister, Peggy Brace; sister-in-law, Brigid Grant; several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Besides his parents and his wife Olga, Rory was predeceased by his brother, Richard; and brother-in-law, Bill Brace. The Grant family is very grateful to the staff of Shannex, Quispamsis, Ridgewood Nursing Home, the Turnbull Home, and the medical staff at the Regional Hospital that made Rory’s life comfortable during these past 2 years.

Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021, from 2 to 5 pm. A funeral service will take place on Monday, December 13, 2021, from St. Paul’s On The Common, Rothesay, beginning at 11 am. Due to Covid-19 health measures placed on indoor gatherings by the Government of New Brunswick, all those 12 and older attending the service will be required to show proof of vaccination and a piece of government-issued ID or proof of medical exemption. A livestream of the service can be viewed by visiting Rory’s obituary on Brenan’s website and clicking on “View Funeral Livestream”, or from St. Paul’s On The Common’s website: www.stpaulsonthecommon.com.

For those who wish, remembrances to James M. Grant Memorial Fund at Rothesay Netherwood School, St. Paul’s On The Common, or the New Brunswick Symphony would be appreciated by the family. Please place online condolences and remembrances at www.BrenansFH.com.