CHRISTOPHER GRANNIS DAFOE

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CHRISTOPHER GRANNIS DAFOE

July 25, 1936 - April 3, 2026

With deep love and gratitude and more than a little sadness we announce the passing of our father Christopher Dafoe who, after a life of love, laughter, words and music, left us on April 3, 2026.

Christopher was predeceased by his loving wife Nancy, with whom he built a truly astonishing and rich life. They met in London in 1959, and on February 29th of the following year Nancy proposed to Christopher. They were married in Christopher’s hometown of Winnipeg and soon welcomed their first son Chris. Sarah arrived a few years later, followed by Alexander.

A writer, editor, journalist, novelist, columnist, lyricist, playwright, broadcaster and historian, Christopher began his professional life as a theatre actor in his native Winnipeg before joining the family business of journalism at the Winnipeg Free Press. He worked briefly as a copy boy before moving on to the night desk and general assignment reporter. His brief stint covering daily news ended abruptly the day he wandered up and knocked on the door of an active hostage situation. Gunshots ensued and, after a being dragged to safety by a member of the Winnipeg Police Service, Christopher was immediately reassigned to a role somewhat less likely to result in gross bodily harm - Drama Critic. Other roles at the Free Press included features and editorial page writer, legislative reporter and columnist. In the late 1960s Christopher and Nancy took their growing family to the West Coast where he took a job at the Vancouver Sun, serving as a columnist, features writer and critic. Christopher is still remembered in the local theatre community in Vancouver for his knowledgeable, thoughtful and balanced opinions. He later recalled receiving only one offer of parking-lot fisticuffs from a disgruntled actor after a not-so-glowing review.

After returning to the prairies in the early 1980s, Christopher resumed weekend columns in the Winnipeg Free Press where he wrote about everything from his cats to politics with his signature blend of cheeky wit, irreverence and joy. A boyhood dream came true when he was hired to helm Canadian history magazine The Beaver, now known as Canada’s History, where he served as Editor until his retirement in 1997. Christopher and Nancy next returned to Vancouver to spend time with their children and beloved grandchildren Kaitlynn and Madeleine. Chris wrote books in his retirement and enjoyed walks with Nancy around their home in Vancouver’s West End.

Christopher and Nancy travelled extensively over the years, often returning to Nancy’s home in Balinphellic, County Cork, Ireland. They also spent considerable time in London, England where they enjoyed the galleries, museums and the theatre. But home for Christopher was the family cottage at Ponemah Beach on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, where he spent some or all of nearly every summer of his life - swimming at the pier, enjoying time with family, gazing out from the verandah at the ever-changing lake and reading and rereading books from his extensive library.

This summer our immediate and extended family will gather at the Dafoe cottage at Ponemah, as we’ve done since 1911, and say goodbye to our lovely, funny and irreplaceable father, grandfather, uncle and friend.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 02, 2026