Cordell GRANT

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GRANT: With his family at his side, Cordell Grant, 71, passed away on May 11, 2016 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Hamiota, MB on July 9, 1944 to Donald and Eileen (nee Whyte) Grant, Cordell grew up on the family’s heritage farm in Lenore, MB. After graduating from Oak Lake High School, he attended Brandon University to pursue a career in teaching, following in his mother’s footsteps. Never one who shied away from hard work, Cordell worked his way through university by working in the mines in Thompson, bartending at the Prince Edward Hotel, serving as a conductor for CP Rail, and working as a janitor for Richardson’s Securities, as well as a Lab technician for Manitoba Hydro. After graduation, he began his teaching career at Princess Elizabeth High School in Shilo, MB, where his approachable demeanor with students quickly made him a much sought after teacher and adviser. When that school was closed in 1987, Cordell began to teach at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School until he retired in 1999. Cordell worked throughout his summers as a hail insurance adjuster, returning to school each fall with endless stories from farmers in far-reaching corners of the prairies. Retirement offered him the opportunity to go on “driving tours”, exploring North America and visiting his daughters and his grandchildren. Cordell was proud to be a Past Master of Masonic Lodge, Past District Deputy for 7th Masonic District, Member of Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge, Past Master of the Three Scottish Rite Lodges, as well as a Member of Khartum Shriners and Brandon Shrine Club. Cordell was everyone’s knight in shining armor. He was always the first to lend a hand, and was always quick with a funny remark. Cordell will be missed by many. Until his illness, he had three coffee groups to which he was very faithful: the 7:00 AM crew at Cranberries, the Wednesday afternoon group at McD’s and the Thursday AM men’s coffee gang at the church. Cordell is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughter Meg Myette (Thomas Jundt), East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and daughter Deborah Grant (Srdjan Tanjga), New York City. He was a beloved Bampi to granddaughter Ella Myette, Montreal, and grandsons Marko, Luka, and Nikola Tanjga of New York City. He is also survived by sisters Carole Hyndman (Brian), Thompson and Marilyn Gadsby, Winnipeg, sister-in-law Peggy Hurdle (Rick) Edmonton, nephews Rodney Hurdle, Grant Dunn (Ashley) and their children, Madison and Regan, niece Myra Lowe (Trevor) and their children, Kailee and Rorie. The Celebration of Cordell’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 339 12th St. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Cordell Grant Memorial Scholarship Fund for an entering Faculty of Education student at Brandon University. Contributions can be mailed to: Brandon University Foundation, In memory of Cordell Grant, 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB R7B 3W3. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 04, 2016