Grant Sikora

July 26, 1962 ~ February 25, 2021

It is with broken hearts that we the family announce that after an unwavering and unbelievably strong, courageous battle with cancer, Grant passed at Pinawa hospital on February 25, 2021 at the age of 58.

He leaves to miss him forever: his mom Eileen, his sister Lorraine (Marv), niece Marsi (Jesse), his precious great-nieces, Makenna and Jamesyn, his nephew Brenden, as well as many relatives and very close friends including his cherished right hand man, Adam and his chosen brother Allen.

He now joins his beloved dad Lawrence, his grandparents and several friends and relatives that he’s missed throughout the years.

Since before he could walk, Grant was happiest when he was on the farm.  At the age of 6 he was driving tractors and helping his dad maintain the family farm.  He quickly grew up big and strong on his mom’s cooking and determination.  While he often joked that he made it “half way through grade 12” (and certainly never shied away from a party) Grant was relentlessly hard working his whole life.  Whether pulling calves at 1am, or the countless days in the fields on big machines or the many hours spent in his shop.  He was never happier when there was work to be done at the farm and he was meticulous in completing it.  He was never satisfied with anything short of perfection- right down to straight grass lines and wood piles.

And if you didn’t meet his high standards, you’d hear about it through his sharp wit.  His sarcastic and blunt sense of humour knew no bounds and he easily lit up the room with laughs.  Grant had a magnetic presence that drew people in- he not only was the cornerstone of the family but also for all the rooms and fields he entered.

While he was a hell of a farmer and sometimes showed a rough exterior, those who know him are very aware that his greatest strength was his innate desire to always look out for others, right down until his very last moments. He was the definition of someone who would give you his shirt off his back without hesitation.   He got both his strong work ethic and his generous soul from his dad.  They are surely still working together as “a farmer’s work is never done” at least until it’s time for their shotski.

Grant passed down the love of our family farm, first to his niece and nephew Marsi and Brenden, teaching Brenden how to drive (into the side of a house) and Marsi the importance of eye-rolling, family and place, with Grant even letting Marsi marry a good man (he approved of) on the family farm.  Grant kept the farm tradition alive another generation down to his precious great-nieces, Maki and Jaima. “His girls” were never more excited than when their car turned on to the farm dirt road. He was their Hero. In summertime he loved driving the Gator down the ditches as the girls squealed in delight.  Riding in the back of his 1950’s Chevy pickup was also a treat. In winter he used his heavy equipment to build them snow hills for sledding and forts. He taught them that there is always work to do, but that it’s important to take time to feed the kittens too. Camping under the oak trees outside the farmhouse, bonfires and fireworks displays are the memories Grant gave them that have made them into the farm girls they are – they are truly “his girls.”

Grant’s personality and character was massive, having significant impacts on people only after a short amount of time. And for those of us who had the opportunity to know him longer, Grant held special spots in the lives of many close friends for decades.  One special experience was Grant and Allen’s coveted “crop tours” where they would fill up a mug with whiskey and drive around the backroads talking and looking at the fields.  While there are many such special stories and the list is too long to write, the family would especially like to thank the special friends who have been a massive support throughout his illness.

The family would also like to thank Dr. Banerji, Dr. Kidane, and Dr. Bruneau for their ongoing care and concern throughout. Extra special thank you to the Pinawa Cancer Care and ward nurses and staff for their excellent over and above care and compassion. While Grant was not a singer, he was overwhelmed enough to sing their praises.

As per Grant’s request cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will take place on the family farm once we are able to gather again.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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