March 7, 1942 - June 30, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with sadness that we share that John Forrest Grant passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023, in Campbell River, B.C.
John was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to Gordon Hunter Grant and Mary Virginia Beall Grant. While he was still a toddler, the family moved to Vancouver Island where his father was stationed in Esquimalt as a specialist naval surgeon during WWII. The family settled in Victoria, and John spent the happy summers of his youth on Salt Spring Island, where he learned to swim, sail, and fish. As a young adult, he worked as a timber cruiser for the forestry service, exploring up and down the BC coast, which informed his lifelong passion for responsible forestry and love of the environment.
John studied at UBC in the 1960s where he received his BSW and law degrees. After meeting Joan Lowe Ripley at UBC, they married and had Amanda Mary in Vancouver, before moving to Prince Rupert where John articled and John Andrew was born. In 1971, they settled in Campbell River to raise the family and build his law practice. He ran a private practice, as well as acted as municipal solicitor, in Campbell River until his retirement from the law in the early 1990s.
In the mid-1980s, John moved to Quadra Island with his then-partner Sandra Ann Doran, where they combined families and built a wonderful life in Heriot Bay. After his retirement, John and Sandra bought and refitted a 44' sailboat, spending many adventurous and happy years sailing down the west coast of North America, through the Panama Canal, and throughout the Caribbean before returning to their beloved Campbell River and Quadra Island. Even after selling Quluda, their wanderlust continued, as they ventured overseas for multi-year stints to live and teach in Taiwan, Singapore, and Slovakia, as well as many short-term adventures in exotic locales.
In addition to Amanda and Andrew, John was a loving and proud stepdad to Kevin Anthony Doran, Roisin Eilish Tankink (Bas), and Sean Niall Doran, and "Buppa" to his beloved grandchildren Caoimhe and Cian. He loved the many happy hours spent on the living room floor playing guitar for Caoimhe and Mr. Potato Head with Cian.
John is survived by Sandra, all his children and grandchildren, his brother Peter Grant (Paula), niece Molly Grant, and nephews Graham, David, and Peter Giles.
Our family is profoundly grateful to Dr. Nelson and all the medical and care staff on 3C and 3D at Campbell River General Hospital for their unceasingly respectful and loving care in Dad's final months. Words will never be enough to convey our deepest thanks to each of you.
A celebration of life will be held later this summer.