Father James Grant, aged 79 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay, August 22, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.
James was born in Montreal, P.Q. February 15, 1937. He attended Boston College to receive his BA in Psychology. He continued his education at Saint Francis Xavier in Nova Scotia. He was ordained as a priest May 30, 1970.
He then moved to Longlac and Jim was the Parish Priest of the Infant Jesus Church on the Point. During his time in Longlac, Jim fell in love with a widow, Diane Abraham and her five sons.
They were married January 1, 1975. Diane gave birth to Jim’s only daughter the following year. James worked in the mental health field until the untimely death of his wife.
Following that event James would return as a priest in 2011. Jim was very involved with the community. Wherever he was, he loved to support and talk with everyone. He will always be remembered for his spiritual insight and his witty jokes.
He was the kind of person that had a glow about him that you would not forget. He was a respected Elder and Priest and is loved by all of his family.
Jim was involved with many schools and went to every cultural ceremony. He was born Scottish and adopted into the Wolf Clan, his Aboriginal name is White Buffalo Warrior and is also a pipe carrier. Jim was the Parish Priest at the Kateri and St. Ann’s Church here in Thunder Bay.
During his sermons, Jim could uplift your spirit and provide guidance to all who needed it. He will be sadly missed by his family; he was a Father to everyone.
James is survived by his daughter Crystal (Grant) McLeod, son-in-law Donald McLeod, grandchildren Donnie Jr., Myshalla, Sierra, Danielle and Dayna; sons, Wendell Abraham (Rhonda), Tyler, Jesse, Karissa, Dwight, Dalton and Demi; Marcel Bananish (Lorena), Marcel Jr., Darren (Guylaine) , Kourtney, Stephane and Cassandra , Shawn Bananish (Rene), Shawna, Brandon, Brooke, Liam, Josh and Jarod; Christian Bananish, Charise, Brett, Dallas Creeanna and Brailynn. Brothers, Alex Grant (Doris) and Peter Grant (Sandy); sisters-in-law Dorothy (Gilbert) Legard, Jocelyn (late Dennis) Bananish, Pauline (late Linus) Dore, Veronica (Ervin Sr.) Waboose, Mary (Claude) Waboose, Connie (Ken) Chorcorlan and brother-in-law, Bernard Abraham. Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews who dearly loved him also mourn his passing.
James is predeceased by parents Alex and Barbra Grant, wife, Diane Grant, brother, Larry Grant, brothers-in-law Sidney Abraham, Edgar Abraham, sister-in-law Friedna Desmoulin.
Funeral Mass for Rev. James Grant will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 11:00am in the St. Patrick's Cathedral, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G.. Vigil prayers will be offered on Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. If friends desire, memorials to the Kateri Church would be appreciated.
James Grant will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.
