Joseph Jean "John" Grenon

John Grenon was known to be a patient man. That said, it might shock those who were not raised by him to discover that he did in fact lose his composure on occasion. As evidence we submit to you that periodically when this father of nine independent-minded children had reached his limit, he could be heard voicing his displeasure by targeted use of the phrase, “Hold Your Horses!”

Following the birth of John's sister, Antoinette, five siblings died in infancy. Due to a medical discovery, John survived. He was born to Rachel and Omer Grenon at their home on Dudley Ave. in Winnipeg. One can envision the love that was showered on him.

John's first language was French. He learned English once he began school (St. Ignatius). John attended St. Paul's College (high school/BA). Although given ample opportunity to take up his father's trade of carpentry (and having acquired the skills to do so), John chose books and chalk over hammer and nails. He concentrated on History and Political Science for his MA and then added a B.Ed.

John loved teaching. He began his career in Flin Flon, MB. After four years and four children, the family returned to Winnipeg. John went on to St. James Collegiate, then to River East Collegiate and, finally, Vincent Massey in Fort Garry, where he became head of the French department. He valued the high school students whom he taught. Several of his colleagues became lifelong friends.

While at university John met Joan Bernard from Sioux Lookout, Ontario. They married and founded what some have referred to as THE CLAN: nine children (a full baseball team). Family was important to John. He loved his wife and children and happily welcomed each new member of the family through marriage. He enjoyed hearing about and watching as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren flourished. Some activities he enjoyed doing with the family included playing cribbage, gathering at the family cottage (for the people, not the lake, because he never learned to swim), visiting “Uncle” Frank (longtime friend and best man at John's and Joan's wedding), going on vacation, visiting his children’s/grandchildren’s homes and watching the grandchildren's performances and games. One special memory his children have is how he always found the energy to swoop-up multiple children into his arms in order to play a game of tickle, or to chase after and capture any who dared to doubt that he still had it in him.

John loved bridge, a game he learned as a five-year-old. As an adult, bridge, as well as curling, provided the basis for many friendships. Notably amongst these are the members of the Three Sheets To The Wind Group. John also enjoyed reading non-fiction and going for long walks. At the cottage these walks could have an added benefit – a stop at the ice cream parlour.

John enjoyed driving, and on family trips happily towed a large tent trailer, sometimes with a canoe on top. Later, on vacations in Europe, John still chose to drive. Having first learned to drive horses, John had faith that cars, like horses, knew their way home. And, whether in Pontiac or in Citroën, this faith was usually rewarded.

While John was extremely patient with his children, there is some suspicion he was able to maintain this attitude due to his practice of using a “TWO-SETS SYSTEM”. He maintained one set (of tools) which he let the kids use and hid another set which he kept exclusively for his own use. His children knew they had graduated to adulthood when they were offered use of the pristine set.

As an infant-at-risk, John had been whisked off minutes after his birth, to church to be baptized. In his final illness he received The Sacrament of The Sick. During his lifetime his religion was simply part of who he was.

John was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Antoinette/Tonie (Tom). He is survived by his wife, Joan, his children: Shelley (Calvin), John-Paul, Jim (Candice), Cathy (Doug), Anthony (Sharon), Patti (Bill), Michelle (Don), Bernie (Toni) and Gerry (Alice), his grandchildren: Jaime (Philip), Ryan (Cindy), Stacey (Llewellyn), Trevor (Hilary), Karen (Mike), Travis, Brett (Morgan), Paul (Carmen), Nicole, Josh, Joseph, Jason, Megan, Christy (Matthew), Spencer, Aleck, Shannon, Sarah, William, Alissa, Emily, John, Hannah and Carmen, and his great grandchildren: Quinn, Kellan, Jonas and Reed.

In the final decade of his life, plagued by health problems and robbed of his ability to speak, John had ample opportunity to practice his patience. We are grateful that, even to the end, he was able to communicate a recognition of family, by a squeeze of his hand or a gentle pressing of his head against that of the visitor. In these ways we were able to continue to enjoy his familiar hugs.

The family is extremely grateful to John’s loyal companions, Riza, Nelia, Michael and Jamal, who brightened his final years when he was wheelchair bound; to the caring and dedicated staff at Tuxedo Villa; and to the extraordinary staff at the Grace Hospital.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Should you wish to donate to a charity of your choice, the family thanks you.

Funeral Mass Friday, March 15, 11:00 a.m. Viewing begins 10:30 a.m.

St. Ignatius Church, 255 Stafford St.