Obituary of David Grant

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of David John Grant, age 72, which occurred at the Saint John Regional Hospital, on Friday, February 2, 2024. He was born in Sussex, NB, on November 19, 1951, a son of the late Jack and Helen (Vail) Grant, and husband of Ina (Neill) Grant.

Dave is survived by his wife Ina of 51 years; daughter Stephanie Grant (Blair Worden) of Bayswater, NB; son Ben (Shelley) Grant of Hatfield Point, NB; grandchildren: Brooke (Eric), Blake (Jodi), Dylan (Kelsey), Abigail (Kalem), Brandon Grant (Jamie), Erika Grant (Alec); sisters: Ruth (Albert) Jacobs, Marjorie (Ivan) Neill, Bonnie (Manfred) Brauns; brother Rick (Charlene) Grant; brother-in-law Stephen (Heather) Neill; along with several nieces and nephews.

Dave lived his life to the fullest, he liked big cars, motorbikes, hunting, fishing, and all the outdoors.  Once he got his car, he seemed to be spending more time in Hatfield Point. This is where I met this tall skinny dark haired handsome man with the most wonderful smile. He swept me off my feet and truly became the love of my life and me his. On June 10, 1972, we became one and was Mr. & Mrs. David Grant.

Stephanie and Ben came along and made our lives complete.  Now we have beautiful grandchildren and their better halves that mean so much to us and feel truly blessed they have become such a big part of our family.  Family and friends are what life is all about in our house, the kid’s friends have become our friends as well.

Dave as a boy worked on the farm with his parents and siblings.  He enjoyed skating, fishing in the Pearson Brook with homemade fishing poles, playing ball with the Smith’s, haying, and some hockey. Dave worked hard in the woods with the rest of dad’s hired men. Dave talked about making a fire to thaw out their sandwiches at noon and his pants would almost stand by themselves from the wet and freezing snow. It wasn’t too long, and Dave went to Ontario to pick tobacco with special friends that still call numerous times and mention, the flat tires, jamming hands, losing shoes etc.  The people there treated them well and they knew what work was.  We would write to each other every day but there was a mail strike then, still loved getting love letters.

Dave enjoyed the years when he ran the porter and slasher.  He met lots of people on the ferry and had made many friends while they chatted for the short time it took to cross. Many days he would come home and say, “you will never guess who I was talking to today”.

As soon as partridge season started, out would come the hunting coat and hat. I really don’t know where he saw them all.  In later years he would go on bike, but it was hard to get off to get them. The moose hunts were one of the highlights of his life. He always loved to deer hunt and have deer meat and pancakes with Ernie and Hilda.  Moose hunting was not just for boys, Stephanie got to go when she was 5 months pregnant, “One of the best times in her life”. Ben and the boys would pick Dave up and head to Shepordy and go looking for signs, they would come home telling me all about the ride in and all the tracks they saw. The stories were endless, all the details of how the moose hunt went down, who got what, what they said, how much fun they all had together, while I wait to hear how they made out, and overjoyed they got a moose.  All the guys know how much he loved those trips and the videos he got to watch at home after.

Dave always liked to have his wood put in early, he was a little bit like his dad.  The last few years he enjoyed the day when his grandkids would come to put the wood in and make a day of it together. This year he got to drive the truck to and from the pile and came in for a meal which we so enjoyed.

In the last five years life was a bit more of challenge and you would find Dave in his chair at home, but the friendships never changed, our doorknob always turning by family and friends, young and old, the phone calls, and the stories being told with laughter that you could hear while making tea and a snack in the kitchen. You have no idea how much those visits meant.

So many of our dear and special friends have passed but the stories were still being told and passed on.

Our family would like to thank all the Extra Mural that made so many trips to our home for both of us and helped us along our journey.  We Cherish you all.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sherwood's Funeral Home and Life Tribute Centre (506-839-2156) 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB, where visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm. The funeral service will be held from Hatfield Point Baptist Church, 2136 Route 124, at 11:00am on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. A private family burial will take place in the spring at Bayview Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Dave may be made to Bayview Cemetery, Hatfield Point Baptist Church, Sussex Extra Mural Program or to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Condolences to the family and donations may be made through SherwoodsFuneralHome.com