Obituary of Grant Gordon Duncan

A Celebration of Life will be held Oshki-Giizhig Inc., 230 Princess Street (at Pacific Avenue) on Friday May 6, 2022 commencing at 6:00 p.m. and concluding at 8:00 p.m.. Grant was born on May 26th, 1956 in Winnipeg Manitoba, the youngest of four siblings. He passed away on December 3rd, 2021, at St. Boniface Hospital. He is predeceased by his parents, Orville and Donna and his maternal Grandmother Kate. Growing up, Grant had many memories of good times with his cousins, the Duncans and Brazils. He often reminisced about the 1980 family trip to Vancouver to see his Aunt (Betty) Chochi. Grant had a great love for hockey and Boyd Park Community Center became his second home. He later embraced curling and golf. Music was an integral part of Grant’s life. He loved record shopping downtown at Autumn Stone, which was the beginning of his music journey. Over the years, he became a music aficionado who was only too happy to share his knowledge with his many music friends, including Attica Riots and Bullrider. Career-wise, Grant wore many hats. He loved the outdoors and thoroughly enjoyed working at Beaudry Park as a Chainsaw Operator. He also worked freelance on television, film and music projects after taking the Aboriginal Broadcast Training Initiative. One of the highlights was as the Audio Technician and Production Assistant for exclusive documentary footage featuring “The Guess Who”. Grant spent many years volunteering and working in social services. In 2006, Grant attended the Family Support Worker Program at Urban Circle and graduated with Honours. With the love and support of his wife Marlene, he realized his calling and co-founded Oshki-Giizhig with Eric Friesen in 2014. Grant’s home with Marlene was his sanctuary from the pressures of the outside world. He especially enjoyed the yard and garage where he loved to visit with friends and play epic games of Scrabble with Marlene. In the summer of 2021, he mastered the “smash burger” on the barbecue and “fire steaks” in the fire-pit. The world has truly lost a great man with many gifts. He was an entertainer, teaser and quick wit; his humour served him well! He was a friend, caregiver, advocate, defender, mentor and a teacher. He had so many good stories to share. He had the passion to fight for the fair treatment of people and not give up hope. Grant always strived to be a role model for the Indigenous community. Left to mourn are his Daughters, Stephanie (Shelby) and Kaitlyn (Taylor), Grandson Eli, Aunt Betty, Aunt Norma, Uncle Gordon, his Wife Marlene and her Daughters, Trisha and Joanna, as well as many relatives, friends and the community at large. You are so missed, Grant.