DR. MICHAEL KEVIN GRACE

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DR. MICHAEL KEVIN GRACE With his wife Joyce at his side, Dr. Michael Kevin Grace died peacefully in his sleep April 22, 2009 at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. He is survived by Joyce, his wife of 57 years; sons and daughters Michael (Deb), Patrick (Maureen), Kitty (Craig), Elizabeth (Jeff), Maureen (Leonard), Susan (Chris), Kevin (Janine), and Daniel (Donna), all living in Transcona. Mike has 20 grandchildren: Christine, Jennifer (Dan), Sarah, Kelly-Ann, and Michael Grace (and their mother Lucille Delaney), and Rebecca (Dallas) Wiebe; Sarah (Brad) Kehler, Kate, James and Kristi Buckboro; Jessica Arychuk; Meagan and Matthew Daeninck; Jennifer, Christopher, Theresa, and Kevin Adams; Patrick, Liam and Alex Grace; and great-granddaughter, Grace Kehler. He is also survived by his sister Marian. Mike was predeceased by his brothers Allan and Joseph, and grandson David. Mike was born November 21, 1923 in Aaron, Saskatchewan in a one room log cabin, the third son of Daniel Grace and Catherine Mullen, a pioneer farm couple. The family moved to Muenster, SK, where Mike attended Grades 1-8 in his mother's one-room school house and worked on neighbouring farms. He graduated from St. Peters College in 1940, and worked for two years in the shipyards of Prince Rupert. At 18, Mike joined the Navy and served in the North Atlantic. At war's end, his veterans' benefits allowed him to pursue a longtime goal, as he entered University of Manitoba Medical Faculty. Here he met his future wife Joyce, whom he married in St. Mary's Cathedral on June 9, 1951. He worked summers as a medical officer for Sea Cadets, and as a bronzed Canadian guide in the Lake of the Woods, until he graduated in 1952. Post-graduate work in general surgery followed. In 1953, Mike began his practice as general practitioner in Transcona, starting in a third-floor walk-up in the Normandin Block, moving to his Day street office by the Oxford Grill and lastly at 701 Regent West, current home of the Transcona Medical Clinic. He was devoted to his patients, making countless house calls, up to 28 in a single day. On one house call, he noticed his elderly patient had no heat, and so hauled up a bag of coal for her. Mike and his partner gave another patient injections for pain relief every four hours at home over a six week period. As Transcona's Medical Health Officer in the 1950s, Mike was kept busy during the polio epidemic, and working to ensure the safety of Transcona's water supply. At times his payment for service was two eggs. Mike worked at St. Boniface and Concordia Hospitals, and is remembered fondly for his gentle, respectful attitude to patients and staff alike. According to one old nurse , who was touched by his example, Dr Grace started a ripple, and I carried on his tradition of gentle caring. He served on boards, committees and served as the medical director of Concordia Hospital. In 1998, after 46 years of practice, Mike retired. Mike became an active member of Notre Dame de l'Assomption parish in 1953. In 1960 he joined the newly established Blessed Sacrament parish, and remained a member until he moved to Deer Lodge Centre in 2007. Mike was involved in Knights of Columbus, RCIA, and numerous Parish Boards as member and chair. Mike and Joyce volunteered in many programs including C.F.M., Marriage Preparation in Winnipeg and St. Boniface dioceses for 30 years. They were active in Marriage Encounter for 15 years, which led to their talk on sexuality in marriage being published as the book A Joyful Meeting in 1980. In the 1960s Mike was involved in the construction of the new Villa Maria Retreat House in St. Norbert, and participated in many programs there. Mike believed that his primary vocation was as husband and father, and that his most important contribution to society is the family that he and Joyce have raised. In 1968 Mike led a group of parents in successfully lobbying for French Immersion education in Transcona. Since 1973, Mike was involved in L'Arche, serving on the board for 19 years, sometimes as chairman. Mike was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He played hockey and baseball in Muenster and in Medical School, and coached both for many years in Transcona. He shared his love of nature with his family on camping, fishing and kayaking trips, the details of which remain a secret from Joyce. Summer vacations were enjoyed at Victoria Beach, Pelican Pouch, Ottermere and Deception Lake. Winters found him skidooing at the lake, or cross-country skiing at Bird's Hill Park. He often paused to remember who created the beauty. Mike and Joyce visited friends in Carriacou (West Indies), escaped to Victoria, BC with the Goodings and cruised the Mediterranean with Elizabeth. Mike also visited his brother Joseph and his wife Mary in Western Samoa, taking in Fiji, New Zealand and Hawaii along the way. In 1999, sons Patrick and Kevin revisited Prince Rupert with Mike. Mike is remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his wry sense of humour, and his one-line zingers. Laughter seasoned many a family gathering. Prayers will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church, 710 Roanoke St. at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 27 2009. Public viewing begins at 7:00 p.m. Special thanks to Dean from Home Care and to the staff at T5 of Deer Lodge Centre for their kindness, care, and, hospitality. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to L'Arche Winnipeg or Deer Lodge Centre. Mass of the Resurrection will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Fr. Owen Steeves officiating. Pallbearers are Mike's sons Michael, Patrick, Kevin and Daniel. Honorary pallbearer is Kevin Adams. Interment will follow at Transcona Cemetery. Korban Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Good man, well loved. Good life, well lived.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 25, 2009