In Memory of
Grant Turner

I would like to say a few words about my brother Grant.

Grant and I had grown closer in our adult lives and I loved him very much. I am very grateful and proud to have had Grant as my brother.

As we know there is much more to a life, Grant was also a husband, father, son, brother, brother in law, cousin, nephew, and a friend.

Grant I want you to know that I am upset at you for leaving us. You have left far too soon. Each one of us here, though, will have the memory of our experiences with Grant, all of them interesting I know. The sum of those memories will be Grant.

Grant was a hard working man, driven by the need to provide for his family he took jobs all over and never took much time off. I was glad that Grant and his family last March were able to go with his friends from the Mariposa Minor Hockey Association, on a wonderful vacation in Cuba. This vacation was captured on many photos and I know the memories will be cherished by the family for a lifetime.

My brother gave my son Mark a job when he needed help on various jobs. I looked forward to this, since I would hear Uncle Grant stories from Mark, and Mark stories from Grant. All of them interesting and many humorous related to their adventures on job sites.

Grant told me that one day he pulled up to a Tim Hortons and gave Mark money for 2 coffees, Mark said I don’t drink coffee. Grant replied “Well I do” Mark remarked “well get it yourself” It is at this point, I like to think that my brother helped my son learn about bosses and hierarchy in the work place.

Brother, you leave a fine family. I always looked forward to seeing you, Cindy, Grant Jr., Connor, and Jessica. It gave me much pleasure to watch your family grow. And see you in your role as father.

I would like to take a moment here to express my thanks to Grant and Cindy’s friends, neighbors, and to the members of the Mariposa Hockey Association for their help, and support. Their actions are truly examples of extraordinary kindness.

Brother nothing will replace you. We will all miss you saying the Scottish grace over dinner, no one could do it as well as you could.

I would like to close off with a short poem by Henry Scott Holland.

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Pray, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, some where very near, just round the corner,
All is well.
Henry Scott Holland 1847 – 1915
Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral

Grant, I have been privileged to have you as a brother, we have been privileged to know you, you are and will always be with us.

Thank you.