Obituary for Grant Alan Preston
PRESTON – Grant
We sadly announce the death – and feel deep gratitude for the life – of Grant Alan Preston who died on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital at the age of 93.
Missed by his children Paul (Viola), Vauxhall, AB; Ruth (Harold Schilk), Lethbridge, AB; Scott (Linda), Guelph; and daughter-in-law Marilyn, Rosemary, AB, Grant is survived by 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter as well as by sisters-in-law Pauline Brown of Mount Forest and Maxine Scott of Owen Sound, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grant is predeceased by his dear wife, Edith (nee Scott) of 62 years, son Fred, infant grandsons Thomas and Robbie, siblings and their spouses Jean (Ed) Yoshioka, Dave (Nancy) Preston, and Liz (Jack) Schweitzer, parents Jeff and Grace (neeAdams) Preston, siblings-in-law Ken Brown, Reta and Lyle Rawn, Bob Scott, and parents-in-law Bert and Mabel (nee Clarke) Scott.
Born in Chatham, ON, Grant completed highschool in Hamilton and went on to study at Ontario Agricultural College (now part of the University of Guelph). Upon graduation in 1952 with a BScAgr, he was employed as Assistant Agr. Rep. in Frontenac, Leeds, and Brant Counties before buying a farm in the Salem District of Proton Township (now Southgate) in 1955. Over the years, Grant and Edith eventually moved from mixed farming to specializing in purebred Suffolk sheep. Grant supported the wider community through the likes of the Dundalk District Fall Fair, 4H Clubs, Proton Township Council, Western Ontario Lamb Producers, Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers, and as an active member of Salem, Hopeville, and then Dundalk United Churches. Retiring to Dundalk opened the door to the joys of lawn bowling, square dancing, and of course more singing.
In 2018 Grant and Edith moved to Birmingham Retirement Community in Mount Forest where he continued to live after Edith’s death until 2020 when he moved into Saint Luke’s Place in Cambridge. There, he happily thrived, even while declining with dementia and physical limitations. His refrain of “Life’s been good to me” was a part of nearly every weekly Skype call with him these last three years.
Visitation will be held at McMillan & Jack Funeral Home, Dundalk on Wednesday, November 29 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, November 30,2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Dundalk United Church with Pastor Don Hume officiating. Following the Service, a Reception will be held in the church basement and then interment at the Salem United Church Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations to Dundalk United Church, Salem Cemetery, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.
All donations may be placed through the funeral home however if you would like the addresses of the individual charities they are as follows.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
https://foodgrainsbank.ca/
Dundalk United Church
Box 159
Dundalk, Ontario
N0C 1B0
Salem Cemetery
c/o Sharon Seeley, Treasurer
270 Hagan Street East; Unit 111
Dundalk, Ontario
N0C 1B0
You may also place your donations directly at the funeral home.
The service will be recorded and available on our website by December 1st.
We sadly announce the death – and feel deep gratitude for the life – of Grant Alan Preston who died on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital at the age of 93.
Missed by his children Paul (Viola), Vauxhall, AB; Ruth (Harold Schilk), Lethbridge, AB; Scott (Linda), Guelph; and daughter-in-law Marilyn, Rosemary, AB, Grant is survived by 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter as well as by sisters-in-law Pauline Brown of Mount Forest and Maxine Scott of Owen Sound, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grant is predeceased by his dear wife, Edith (nee Scott) of 62 years, son Fred, infant grandsons Thomas and Robbie, siblings and their spouses Jean (Ed) Yoshioka, Dave (Nancy) Preston, and Liz (Jack) Schweitzer, parents Jeff and Grace (neeAdams) Preston, siblings-in-law Ken Brown, Reta and Lyle Rawn, Bob Scott, and parents-in-law Bert and Mabel (nee Clarke) Scott.
Born in Chatham, ON, Grant completed highschool in Hamilton and went on to study at Ontario Agricultural College (now part of the University of Guelph). Upon graduation in 1952 with a BScAgr, he was employed as Assistant Agr. Rep. in Frontenac, Leeds, and Brant Counties before buying a farm in the Salem District of Proton Township (now Southgate) in 1955. Over the years, Grant and Edith eventually moved from mixed farming to specializing in purebred Suffolk sheep. Grant supported the wider community through the likes of the Dundalk District Fall Fair, 4H Clubs, Proton Township Council, Western Ontario Lamb Producers, Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers, and as an active member of Salem, Hopeville, and then Dundalk United Churches. Retiring to Dundalk opened the door to the joys of lawn bowling, square dancing, and of course more singing.
In 2018 Grant and Edith moved to Birmingham Retirement Community in Mount Forest where he continued to live after Edith’s death until 2020 when he moved into Saint Luke’s Place in Cambridge. There, he happily thrived, even while declining with dementia and physical limitations. His refrain of “Life’s been good to me” was a part of nearly every weekly Skype call with him these last three years.
Visitation will be held at McMillan & Jack Funeral Home, Dundalk on Wednesday, November 29 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, November 30,2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Dundalk United Church with Pastor Don Hume officiating. Following the Service, a Reception will be held in the church basement and then interment at the Salem United Church Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations to Dundalk United Church, Salem Cemetery, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated.
All donations may be placed through the funeral home however if you would like the addresses of the individual charities they are as follows.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
https://foodgrainsbank.ca/
Dundalk United Church
Box 159
Dundalk, Ontario
N0C 1B0
Salem Cemetery
c/o Sharon Seeley, Treasurer
270 Hagan Street East; Unit 111
Dundalk, Ontario
N0C 1B0
You may also place your donations directly at the funeral home.
The service will be recorded and available on our website by December 1st.