July 26, 1962 ~ February 25, 2021
It is with broken hearts that we the family announce that after an unwavering and unbelievably strong, courageous battle with cancer, Grant passed at Pinawa hospital on February 25, 2021 at the age of 58.
He leaves to miss him forever: his mom Eileen, his sister Lorraine (Marv), niece Marsi (Jesse), his precious great-nieces, Makenna and Jamesyn, his nephew Brenden, as well as many relatives and very close friends including his cherished right hand man, Adam and his chosen brother Allen.
He now joins his beloved dad Lawrence, his grandparents and several friends and relatives that he’s missed throughout the years.
Since before he could walk, Grant was happiest when he was on the farm. At the age of 6 he was driving tractors and helping his dad maintain the family farm. He quickly grew up big and strong on his mom’s cooking and determination. While he often joked that he made it “half way through grade 12” (and certainly never shied away from a party) Grant was relentlessly hard working his whole life. Whether pulling calves at 1am, or the countless days in the fields on big machines or the many hours spent in his shop. He was never happier when there was work to be done at the farm and he was meticulous in completing it. He was never satisfied with anything short of perfection- right down to straight grass lines and wood piles.
And if you didn’t meet his high standards, you’d hear about it through his sharp wit. His sarcastic and blunt sense of humour knew no bounds and he easily lit up the room with laughs. Grant had a magnetic presence that drew people in- he not only was the cornerstone of the family but also for all the rooms and fields he entered.
While he was a hell of a farmer and sometimes showed a rough exterior, those who know him are very aware that his greatest strength was his innate desire to always look out for others, right down until his very last moments. He was the definition of someone who would give you his shirt off his back without hesitation. He got both his strong work ethic and his generous soul from his dad. They are surely still working together as “a farmer’s work is never done” at least until it’s time for their shotski.
Grant passed down the love of our family farm, first to his niece and nephew Marsi and Brenden, teaching Brenden how to drive (into the side of a house) and Marsi the importance of eye-rolling, family and place, with Grant even letting Marsi marry a good man (he approved of) on the family farm. Grant kept the farm tradition alive another generation down to his precious great-nieces, Maki and Jaima. “His girls” were never more excited than when their car turned on to the farm dirt road. He was their Hero. In summertime he loved driving the Gator down the ditches as the girls squealed in delight. Riding in the back of his 1950’s Chevy pickup was also a treat. In winter he used his heavy equipment to build them snow hills for sledding and forts. He taught them that there is always work to do, but that it’s important to take time to feed the kittens too. Camping under the oak trees outside the farmhouse, bonfires and fireworks displays are the memories Grant gave them that have made them into the farm girls they are – they are truly “his girls.”
Grant’s personality and character was massive, having significant impacts on people only after a short amount of time. And for those of us who had the opportunity to know him longer, Grant held special spots in the lives of many close friends for decades. One special experience was Grant and Allen’s coveted “crop tours” where they would fill up a mug with whiskey and drive around the backroads talking and looking at the fields. While there are many such special stories and the list is too long to write, the family would especially like to thank the special friends who have been a massive support throughout his illness.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Banerji, Dr. Kidane, and Dr. Bruneau for their ongoing care and concern throughout. Extra special thank you to the Pinawa Cancer Care and ward nurses and staff for their excellent over and above care and compassion. While Grant was not a singer, he was overwhelmed enough to sing their praises.
As per Grant’s request cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will take place on the family farm once we are able to gather again.
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Brenda (Zaretski) Molinski
Eileen, Lorraine & family….so sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. There just are no words. Sending you all much needed strength and deepest condolences. Jason & Brenda (Zaretski) Molinski
Carol and David Olivier and families
Eileen, Lorraine and Marv and family, so sorry to hear of Grant. Please accept our deepest sympathies and prayers. Our condolences your way.
Breanne and Adrian
Holding you all so tight and sending our love. Looking forward to seeing you all in person when we can to share stories and memories together. Love you.
Graham Sikora & Family
Eileen, Lorraine, & Family.
I’m so sorry about the passing of Grant. The world has lost an incredible life, he loved and was loved by so many. He was strong, funny, adventurous and affectionate to those he knew. Lac Du Bonnet will never be the same again.
Ed & Shirley Sikora
We are so very sorry for your loss. Grant was one of a kind ,a very hard worker, a very good friend and a great person all around. We all will miss him.
Andrea and Chad
Although my daughter only met Uncle Grant a few times, the memories she has of him and being welcomed with open arms onto his farm will last a lifetime. The connection between Elliot and Uncle Grant was immediate. She became so instantly comfortable with him and we could all tell she immediately found a place in his heart, which we will be forever grateful for. The summer evenings she spent out at the farm with her dear friends Maki and Jaima, searching for shop cats, riding in the gator and the back of the truck, making s’mores at the bonfire, running around with her friends in the dark, watching fireworks and of course big hugs from Uncle Grant will be some of her fondest first memories. We all came to love Uncle Grant dearly and will miss him just as dearly. Marsi, Jesse, Maki and Jaima we are so deeply sorry for your loss. We are here for you today and always.
Henrietta Shegelski
Dear Eileen and all the beloved family of Grant: What a beautiful obituary and strong tribute to a well-loved man! Although I only knew Grant by various chance meetings at Eileen’s, I certainly got to know him through the wonderful words that were written!
May God surround you all with his tender, consoling love and grant you peace of heart and may the beautiful memories Grant has placed in your hearts become a great comfort for your hurting hearts. We all hope that the love and caring of family and friends will help you through these most difficult times.
With sincere sympathy and special prayers for Grant and all of you, his dear cherished family,
Henrietta Shegelski and the Catholic Ladies of Notre Dame du Lac Parish
Elaine Stetina
I have known Grant for as long as his cousin Earl had his sights set on my daughter Cheech….many, many years! The Earl Sikora family have always been very close to Grant and we all have so many memories of the good times together, whether it was on the farm watching calves being born or sitting around one of our tables with a big bottle of whiskey and singing hurtin’ country tunes. Grant taught my grandsons Graham, his Godson, and Roman to drive the quads when they were just little…what fun!
We are so glad to have been able to attend Grant’s 58th birthday extravaganza he held at his farm. It warmed our hearts to see him having so much fun with all the people that were important to him.
Rest In Peace now big fella. We will miss you but will share our memories always.
Love, Elaine Stetina (Mumma)❤️
Rowan family
Such a huge loss to an amazing family. He will never be forgotten. It was so evident how much he was loved and how much he loved his family. Praying for your family and hoping to be able to celebrate his life with you in the future.
Chris, Paula, Viv and Bert
Sending love and strength to your entire family during this difficult time. What an amazing tribute for an amazing man, it is so obvious how strong the bond was between him and your family. May he live on forever in your hearts, memories and stories.
Terri Schwartz
Eileen and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Grant.
I have known Grant since he was in my Grade 5 class in Centennial School. He was a wonderful boy to have in the classroom. While he wasn’t the most academic of my students he was certainly blessed with wonderful “people skills”. I especially appreciated his self-deprecating sense of humour and his easy going attitude in our classroom.
My husband Bill and send our most sincere condolences to you all. Take care of yourselves and of each other.
Jocelyn Davidson
My prayers and thoughts are with the family. No more pain
Tiffiny Feniuk
Sending thoughts and prayers to the Sikora family
Grant was such a nice man
He will be greatly missed by those who knew and got the chance to meet him
Monique Pishak
Aunty Eileen, Lorraine, Marv and family,
Our condolences on Grant’s passing. Wishing you all peace, love and comfort and hope to celebrate Grant’s life soon in the future. I hope he and Uncle Lawrence and my dad are all sitting around the table having a good time! Take care.
Monique and Cal Pishak
Elana Sytnick
Eileen, Lorraine and family
My deepest sympathy to all of your family. Your loss is felt by all of us whose life Grant blessed with his presence. I for one will always be grateful for the many times Grant was their to help me through my dark times of loss. The beautifully written tribute to his life has captured everything about him that so many of us were able to be a part of. May he be happy having a shotski with his dad and those that went before him. Take care and find strength in each other and memories of him