MOFFATT: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James ‘Grant’ Moffatt, born May 12, 1949, on Monday, August 31, 2020. He passed away on the family farm, a place he lived and loved.
Grant is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Connie (Hay); his son, Todd (Andrea) and daughter, Pam (Chris Theoret); and granddaughter Allie. Also survived by his siblings Neil (Joan), Lois (Brian Fowler), Mark (Cindy Beyak) and Norma (Al Purdy); sisters in law Dianne King (Mike), Darlene Johnson (Frank Fries) and brother in law Jim Hay (Jan), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by an infant sister, Susan, and his parents, Jimmie and Gladys Moffatt.
Grant lived almost his entire life on the farm in Carroll. He attended Carroll School until Grade 8 and went to Souris Collegiate for his high school education. He went on to the University of Manitoba and received a Diploma in Agriculture. Following graduation, Grant worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway for a few years, and then farmed. In 1981, he started selling trucks for Wilton Ford Truck Centre and travelled many miles throughout both Manitoba and Saskatchewan. At that time, the Hargreaves Family rented his grain land, which the third generation continue to do so today. Grant always kept cattle and was involved in various livestock organizations, as Director of Manitoba Maine-Anjou Association and President of the Canadian Maine-Anjou Association. He was actively involved with the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, Western Canadian Agribition, and the Brandon Bull sale. He also loved to be called upon to judge cattle at 4-H shows. After his second hip replacement, he sold his herd as he could no longer run faster than a mad mama cow.
In 1991, Grant started selling vehicles for Murray’s in Brandon. Last year, after 28 wonderful years, he retired. As a testament to how his customers regarded him, there were hundreds of people in attendance at his retirement party. Murray’s presented him with a beautiful bench embossed with one of Grant’s favourite sayings, I am just ‘Living the Dream’.
Grant was a great community man, always willing to get involved and help in any way. He was the backbone of the Southwest Cougars U18 AAA hockey team. When the team first moved to Souris, he served on the board, becoming President in 1996. Grant performed far more than executive duties for the team, such as running the clock for home games, moving nets between periods, washing the jerseys, doing write-ups for the weekly papers, getting scores to the sports stations, and fundraising for the team. However, the part he loved the best was driving the coaches and staff to the hockey games. He really enjoyed getting to know the coaches, the players and their parents. He was fondly known as Moff. At last years Cougar wind-up, Grant’s received one of his favourite mementos. He received a key chain from a Cougar family that said “Moff, the man, the myth, the legend”, which he carried every day on his key ring.
Prior to his involvement with the Cougars, Grant enjoyed coaching “the boys of ’72” with Souris Minor Hockey, as well serving five years on the executive and another six years as President. Grant was also involved with the Souris Elks Senior Hockey Club, including a number of years as President of the SWHL and as a Director with Hockey Manitoba. Between minor hockey, senior hockey and AAA U18, it’s very likely that Grant had visited every rink in Manitoba.
Grant was the recipient of several awards throughout the years, such as Hockey Manitoba Volunteer of the Year Award in 2002, the Larry Perrin Memorial Volunteer Award in 2012, as well as, being inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 as part of the 1967 Souris Juvenile Cardinal Baseball team.
In addition, to his many hours of athletic volunteering, Grant also served as president of the Carroll Cemetery. He spent many hours working at the cemetery on various projects, such as cultivating trees, spearheading the purchase of a marble columbarium, as well as being the ‘go to’ man when there was a burial.
Grant loved his time behind the wheel, whether it was a quick trip with Connie to Brandon for a movie or ice cream, or longer drives, such as touring the country-side, delivering vehicles, or numerous trips to Alberta to see family. One of Grant’s favourite road trips was when Grant and Connie spent a month in 2012 travelling to Florida, where they were joined by Todd and Pam, and their families. One of the highlights of the trip for Grant was experiencing Disney World with his granddaughter, Allie, as they both had a blast riding roller-coasters and being kids!
Grant battled with arthritis and polycystic kidney disease. In July 2019, Grant started dialysis at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Grant was very well taken care of by the staff in the dialysis unit, and he thought the world of them. Near the end, any physical movement was becoming more difficult for Grant. We take solace in the fact that he died at home, he died quickly, and is now pain free.
Grant was interned in the Carroll Cemetery Columbarium on Saturday, September 5, 2020. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to BRHC Foundation-Dialysis Unit, 150 McTavish Avenue E, Brandon, R7A 2B3 or Souris & Glenwood Foundation, Box 518, Souris, R0K 2C0.
Rest in peace Grant. You were loved and will be missed by all who knew you.
Connie and Family,
I was very sorry to learn of Grant’s passing. My sincere condolences to you all-my thoughts and prayers are with you .
Carol
So very sorry to hear of Grants passing Connie , our thoughts and love go out to you and your family .
Our sympathies to Grants family. He was such a great fellow who touched many lives and will be sadly missed. The Shearer family
Connie, Todd, Pam and families
Words seem inadequate right now but I just want you to know how truly sorry I am for your loss. He will be missed by so many.
Rest In Peace Grant.
Dana Alexander
Connie and family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Grant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad and difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dean and Donna Couvier
So sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. He was one of a kind. Let all your wonderful memories console you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Murray and Susan Mann
Connie, Todd, Pam and families, so sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and may the memories you have bring comfort to you all during this difficult time.
Jill Kutz (McArthur)
Connie and family,
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. Grant will be be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Denice, Shelly, Pam, Darla and families.
Connie, Todd, Andrea, Allie, Pam & Chris, to say that Grant was one of a kind is an understatement, such a great family man as well as a huge part of the hockey, Carroll, and Souris communities.
Our deepest sympathies from our family to yours.
Del, Joyce & family
We’ve lost a great fella. Sending our deepest sympathy to Connie, Todd and Pam and your families and all the Moffatt family at this sad time. The community will miss him, as will all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. You have a very special angel watching over you. Take care.
The Turner’s (Muriel, Murray, Pat, Rick, Ron and Shelley)
Deepest condolences to Connie,Todd,Pam and families . He was quite the man . He will be sorely missed . Ian Donna and family
Connie, Todd and Pam and family
Condolences to you on the loss of Grant. He will be a void in your life and well as to the communities he did so much for. A life gone too soon.
Doug and Helen Fenwick
We send our condolences to you at this sad time.
My deepest condolences to you and your family Connie. Grant was a wonderful conversationalist. I appreciated his friendship during my Souris High School days. Thank you for arranging for the visit I had with Grant two years ago at our class
reunion. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of deep loss.
Alvin McBurney
Connie and family:
My sincere condolences on the loss of your husband and father, Grant. He was one of the finest men I have had the honor of knowing.He was a model citizen for the Carroll/Souris area and his contributions were many.His bigger than life personality will be missed by all who knew him.
Brian Marshall,
Saanichton, B.C.
So very sorry to hear of Grants passing, my deepest sympathy.
Hugs and prayers to you Connie, Todd and Pam and family. Grant was one of a kind and friend to everyone he met. He will truly be missed by all and especially us who considered you a part of our family in so many ways. Love Linda and Dennis and family.
So very sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Connie, Todd, Pam and families.
Sudsy and Jeannie
Connie and Family. Im so sorry for your loss of Grant He will be missed
Connie and family:
My deepest condolences to you at this sad and difficult time. You will all miss him dearly. May all your
memories bring you comfort. With heartfelt sympathy , Carole Barclay
Connie, Todd, Andrea, Allie, Pam , Chris and all of the Moffatt family,
We were nothing less than shocked to learn of Grant’s sudden passing. May you find peace and comfort as you face the difficult days ahead.
With our deepest sympathy to you all.
Brian & Sharon
Connie, Todd, Pam and all your families. My heartfelt condolences with your loss of Grant. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
Derek Kohut
A message of condolence also goes to Grants siblings- a huge void in your lives.
Del & Joyce McDougall
I am thinking of you Connie at this difficult time with deepest sympathy .
Connie & family,
My sincere condolences to you all. I always enjoyed Grant’s jovial demeanour. You and your community will endure a huge void but his legacy will live on.
Heather Andrews
Sorry to hear of Grants passing Connie. It is too soon for a 1970 Aggie graduate to be leaving us. He was a good friend, classmate, and roommate. He will be missed.
Deepest sympathy Connie and family….
We will all miss Grant….thinking of you at this time .
Sid and Arlene Patterson
Connie and family, so sorry to hear of Grants passing. We always enjoyed our visits at the ball diamond or hockey arena. He contributed so much to Souris, he will be missed. May your good memories live on.
So sorry for your loss. Grant was a truly special person. May your memories sustain you at this difficult time.
The Lanchbery’s (Sheldon, Irene, Meagan and Gerald)
Connie, My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time, may your memories give you peace and comfort during this difficult time, Grant will be dearly missed.
To you Connie, and to your kids, we send our sympathy. We were saddened to read of Grants passing. The communities of Carroll, Souris and Brandon will have many good memories of his community contributions and spirit. And you will have an abundance of fun family memories to cherish. Take care of each other.
Dear Connie and family
We are so sorry to hear of this sad news….Grant was a great man and your many memories will guide you thru the days ahead. Sending our most sincere condolences and a big hug. Kim and Garry Serruys & family
Connie, Pam, Todd and families,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and dad. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.
John and Gloria Turner
It is with great sadness that Sonia & I extend condolences to you Connie and Family.
For a number of years I had the pleasure of working with Grant while running the Cougar Hockey Pool. I’m sad on his passing but very gratified to have known him; a man so gifted in public relations and the soul of the Cougar organization. He will be missed by so many.
Sonia & Peter Derkach
We are so very sad to hear the news of Grant’s passing. Our thoughts and condolences are with Connie and family.
Connie and family
Grant’s big smile and his friendly, positive happy go lucky attitude will be missed. This is how we knew Grant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time.
Bill & Nancy Biglieni
Larger than life! A common theme. We will all miss Grant. His contributions to the Community and his infectious smile.
Our sincere condolences to Connie and family.
Bruce & Sandi Gullett
Just know you Connie, Todd, Pam are in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time now and in the days ahead. Carroll lost a great friend.
I am thinking of you Connie, with deepest sympathy at this difficult time.
Connie, Todd, Pam and families
I’m very sorry to hear of Grant’s sudden passing. My sincere condolences to you all.
Just like his Father Grant Moffatt was such an easy man to talk to. In business he made you feel he was looking after you just as much as the dealership he was representing. We have fond memories spending time together running up to Dauphin on a Saturday to pick up a new vehicle and golfing at Moon Lake Golf Club in Saskatoon with Grant and Todd. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
So sorry to hear of Grants passing. Truly one of the good guys.
Know that we are thinking about you all.
Connie and Family
Sorry to hear about Grant’s passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Linda & George Holub
Connie, Todd, Pam and Families
We are so sad to read about the sudden passing of Grant. Our sincerest condolences to you all. Grant was a very special man with a wonderful sense of humor. We’re so sorry for your loss. May the memories you share last a lifetime, and may you always feel his spirit nearby.
Love,
The Fusts
Connie and family
So sorry to hear of Grants passing. I enjoyed knowing and working with him, he helped me many times and was indeed one of my favorite people.
Alex and Evie Fraser
Connie, Todd, Pam and families. We are so sorry to learn about Grant’s passing. Our condolences to each of you.
One of the most dangerous people I ever put on the air!
Grant would arrive at Murray’s and announce, “Billy, I wanna go on the radio this morning.”
That’s when I’d start to worry! Some time during the morning broadcast, he would wander out from his office to wait for the next on-air bit. We’d swap gossip while we waited and then we’d be on the air.
First would come the twinkle in his eye. That was never a comforting sign. Then Grant would feature a vehicle he wanted to sell (often a truck) and if I were lucky he’d get the message out without the use of colourful language or a shot levelled at the guy holding the microphone. I missed those encounters when I retired and I was pleased to be asked to officiate at Grant’s own retirement. It’s cliche to say he was one-of-a-kind, but he was and I am grateful for having known Grant.
To his family – my deepest sympathy and regards.
Bill Turner
Connie and Families
So sorry to hear of Grants passing, he was a good friend
For many years. First as a fellow Aggies from the Diploma
Class of 1970. And later as a salesman for the Murray Group
In Brandon. He always had time to say Hello and discuss what
Was happening in the world. A true “ Gentleman “ in every sense of the word. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Bob & Pam Radcliffe.
Connie, I am so sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. Cherish your memories.
Ken
Connie and family
Grant was a wonderful person. He always had time for a visit. May you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of Grant. He will be deeply missed.
Larry and Tess McRae
Are great man that shared his time with his joys in life; his family, his farm, his work and his team. A great example of what a person can do for a community when they step up and be good, kind and respectful!
Sorry to hear of Grant’s passing and my condolences to Connie and family.
I have good memories of fun and laughter with Grant in high school and post high school sports.His memory will be an inspiration for others to carry on his valuable contributions to sports in Souris.
Everyone has a twin!!!!! Not so in this case. Grant was an Icon in the Souris and Carroll communities and will be long remembered for his generosity
Connie, Todd & Family, Pam & Chris: We were very sorry to hear of Grant’s sudden & untimely passing. May your many special memories be comforting to all at this difficult & sad time. Thoughts & prayers are with you!
Sincerely, Bill & Norma Edwards
So sorry to hear about Grant, Connie, and family. He coached my son Barry for a short time and was much appreciated. Grant was one of four guys who sat behind me in grade nine and brought on a lot of laughs. He’ll be sadly missed by the whole hockey community and beyond.
Deepest sympathy to you, Connie and family
Connie and family. Sorry to hear of Grants passing. He will be surely missed in the South West area of Manitoba. Cherish the memories!
Gail Williamson
Sorry Connie and family to hear about Grants passing . I always enjoyed seeing and talking to him when I bring teams out on the bus from Winnipeg area to play the cougars. Still think about him when he brought me those famous cinnamon buns from Souris to a playoff game in Brandon this past season. my thoughts are with you Connie. Ray Lodders
Connie & family. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Cherish all your memories of Grant. Sharon Patterson
So sorry for your loss of Grant. Our community has lost a great man. With sincere condolences to the family, Rick and Val Ferguson
We were very surprised and saddened to hear of Grant’s passing. He was a very friendly man and provided significant contribution to the community. Our family is very sorry for your loss Connie, Todd, Pam and families. Sincerely Larry, Sandra Puhach and family
We were sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. His work for the SW Cougar organization was so appreciated by players and parents.
Sincerely,
Alexander, Laughlin, Dale and Susan McKinnon
Connie and Family
I am very sorry to hear of Grant’s passing! I know he has had a lot of health challenges and he handled them gallantly.
Larry and I always enjoyed our time with him. Especially his sense of humor.
My thoughts and prayers are always with you!
He will be missed!
So sorry to learn of Grant’s passing….
His presence in our community will be missed….but never forgotten…..
Our sincere condolences to Connie, Todd, Pam and families.
Darlene and Blair Bastian
Connie, Todd (Andrea, Allie), Pam, Chris
Neil, Lois, Norma, Mark and families…..
There are no words at this very difficult time, but know that we are thinking of you with sincere sympathy. May precious memories bring you comfort. Grant surely will be missed. No more pain, Rest In Peace , Cuz.
Linda, Brian (Cathy), Keith and families.
Connie, Todd, Pam, Neil, Lois, Mark , Norma and Families
I am so very sorry to hear of Grants passing. I knew he participated in many organizations in our community. Reading today, in the paper, it speaks volumes of his commitment of his time, to so many sports leagues and for sure has inspired so many youths, through the years. Grants leadership has left a Legacy of his work, for all his Family.
Sincerely Marilyn Forsyth
Our sincere condolences to the Moffatt families on the passes of Grant. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Connie & Family
So sorry to hear of Grants passing
My sympathy goes out to you Connie & your family
Sincerely
Wilma MacArthur
To Connie & the entire Moffat Family
Our hearts go out to you. Clark had the honour of working with Grant and found him to be such a unique individual and one that genuinely took an interest in everyone and everything he encountered.
Grant is fondly remembered for being one of the kindest and selfless individuals ever known
Grant was a big teddy bear and in Clark’s words…”the world needs more Grant Moffat’s”.
Very sorry to hear about Grants passing. He was a great man always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed very much Our condolences to the family
I go through life hoping that the day I pass I will be remembered.. that I put a smile on someone’s face at some time and that my family cherished me as a mother, sister, friend and daughter… Grant surpassed all of those qualities 1000 times over.. what a gift he was to everyone. Rest In Peace Grant
Cathy phair
Our Sympathy to Connie and all the Families. Grant was very well known, admired, and loved by so many people near and far away.
Just heard the news of Grant’s passing. My mom, Doreen, thought very highly of him, having purchased a vehicle or two from him. My deepest condolences to Grant’s family. Thinking of you, Norma. Last time I saw you, I remember you talking about Grant’s health issues. Losing a brother must be very difficult. Very sorry for your loss. xo