NORBERT GRIFT

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

NORBERT (BERT) GRIFT September 19, 1940 - October 25, 2016 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bert Grift on October 25, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. Bert is survived by his wife of 52 years, Penny (nee Nault), and children Dave (Joy), Steve (Janice), Chris (Teresa), and Andrea (Keith). He will be sadly missed by his eight grandchildren Mitchell, Cooper, Jacob, Hannah, Gracie, Katie, Parker, and Sammy. Bert was predeceased by his parents Johan (Philip) Grift and Mary Grift (nee DeBaets), sister Marlene Demchuk, and brother Eddy Grift. Bert was born in Southern Manitoba and grew up on a dairy farm in Transcona, which was sold in 1974 to become Mission Gardens. He loved to tell stories about those days on the farm as a kid and all the trouble he and his brothers would get into. He had a wonderful sense of humour. Family get-togethers were always filled with stories, joy and laughter. He attended Maison Chapelle School until grade 6, St. Mary School at St. Mary's Cathedral, and graduated from St. Paul's High School in 1957. He attended the Roman Catholic seminary in Muenster, SK studying to become a priest, until he met his true calling in life, his wife Penny. Bert was an avid and gifted athlete growing up playing all sports, especially hockey, which he played up until a few years ago. Bert also loved to golf. He would play with whomever was willing to go. His favourite partners were his golf buddies from work and in the leagues he was in, his children and grandkids, and especially his brothers Larry and Archie. They played together every Monday for a long time. He was a fiery competitor. He was a lightning fast skater with an even quicker temper on the ice. This is a quality that was handed down to his sons and grandkids for sure. As good as Bert was in athletics, he was equally good in school. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1964. He went on to work at the Medical College at University of Manitoba and then for over 30 years for the federal government at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Freshwater Institute. His name appears in many scientific research papers over the years. We were very proud growing up to say our dad was a scientist. Our mom and dad married in 1964 and moved to River Heights in 1972 to raise their family. Here, the family would become a mainstay at Sir John Franklin Community Centre (SJF) and at St. John Brebeuf School and Parish. Bert coached both hockey and soccer at SJF for many years in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a tireless community volunteer and many of his former players still ask about him and tell a favourite coaching story. Bert could always be found by Penny's side. They loved each other deeply. This love of family resonates among all the children and grandchildren. This is his legacy. The other greatest loves in his life (and greatest sources of anger) were the Jets and the Bombers. Watching a Jets or Bomber game with our dad was always an adventure. He was, at various times, a season ticket holder for both. Later in life, he very much enjoyed the return of our beloved Jets. Sitting around and talking about hockey with our dad will be sorely missed. Donations in Bert's name can be made to the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities and the Children's Rehabilitation Foundation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1 at St. John Brebeuf Parish, 1707 John Brebeuf Place. Father Mark Tarrant celebrant. "Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity we absorbed the loss."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2016