- Winnipeg Free Press Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
ROLAND GERARD GRANDPRE
Born: Jun 12, 1934
Date of Passing: Jan 02, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
ROLAND GERARD GRANDPRE
He was born in Newburyport, MA, on June 12, 1934, the youngest son of Ester Angeline (Villeneuve) and Joseph Arthur Grandpre. At a young age the family moved to Wakefield, MA, where he excelled at sports, sail boating and fly fishing. He proudly served in the Navy Reserve from 1951 to 1960.
Roland received his undergraduate degree in business from Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, in 1957 and his masters degree in Business from Columbia University in 1958. He joined the faculty of Administration at the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, in 1958. In 1967 he was recruited by the Manitoba business community to become the executive director of the Manitoba Institute of Management which supported and developed small business management in the province. In 1977 he joined the Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, as Associate Dean for Continuing Education where he developed the first Executive MBA program in the area. In July, 1981, he joined the Faculty of Management at the University of Manitoba as Dean. In his six years as Dean some of his major accomplishments were to significantly overhaul the undergraduate curriculum, raise funds and build a new building for the Faculty and initiate a program to link the Faculty with the local business community through the Associates Program. He was honoured with the title of Dean Emeritus in 1992.
During various phases of his life Roland pursued target shooting, hunting, fishing and camping, skiing, golf and woodworking, each with a determination to excel. His other passion, Dixieland Jazz, he enjoyed on many cruises and festivals. After retirement Roland became a ski instructor at Park City Resort in Park City, Utah, for several years before becoming a full time RV'er exploring the country and finally settling down in Prescott Valley, AZ, in 2006.
Roland is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Raoul. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jacqueline Anne (Racicot); his brother Robert; his three daughters, Anne Marie, Clarice and Denise; his son-in-law Gregory Bihn; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Roland will be fondly remembered by his friends and family for his sense of humour, his outgoing and engaging personality, his optimism, hard work and determination.
In the last three years of his life Roland was lovingly cared for by Lanae and Brent Brooks at the Brookings Senior Care Home and his long time physician and friend, Dr. Ajith Purush, for which his family is very grateful.
The funeral will be held on Friday, January 8, at St. Germain Catholic Church, 7925 E. Long Look Dr., Prescott Valley. The rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, P.O. Box 26228, Prescott Valley, 86312.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2021
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
-
I just learned of Roland's passing this week. We had met in the 80s at the RehFit Centre. I told him that I was a graduate of Commerce with an MBA. We jogged many times together at the RehFit. I was totally impressed with him as a scholar , an entrepreneur and a visionary. The Drake Centre owes it's main thanks to Roland. And I was proud to be there for the opening. He was here about 2 years ago to attend an alumni function and I spoke briefly with him. And I recall one of the last conversations we had when he lived here. It was about him moving to Utah to teach skiing! My sincere condolences! He will be missed! - Posted by: Al Shell (Friend) on: Feb 19, 2021
-
I remember Dean Grandpre for his energy, vision, passion and leadership. As a student president of Commerce Dean Grandpre was the perfect Dean. He was also a friend. I have many fond memories of those years. I won’t forget the day we went windsurfing together. And of course, there was Mrs. Grandpre’s famous lasagna dinner. I think of Dean Grandpre often. I was so touched when he reached out and contacted me in my new career in Calgary in the early 90’s. We met and reminisced. Dean Grandpre remains a big influence in my life. All i can say is, “Thank you Sir”. And to Mrs. Grandpre and family, my deepest condolences. Jay Zammit - Posted by: Jay Zammit (Student, Senior Stick, Faculty of Commerce, University of Manitoba, 1982) on: Jan 27, 2021