John Robin “Rob” Grant

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Major (Ret’) Rob Grant CD of Truro, age 62, formerly of New Glasgow, on June 23, 2017, in the Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro, after a three-year battle with cancer.

Rob was born in New Glasgow, a son of Brig-Gen JJ Grant, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia and Mrs. Joan Grant.

Rob attended schools in New Glasgow graduating from New Glasgow High School in 1973. In his youth, he was involved in scouting, minor hockey, camping, army cadets and motorcycling.

Rob had worked at the former JJ Grant Ltd. and Scott Paper Pulp Mill prior to becoming a hard rock miner first at Gays River (Esso Resources) and then the Polaris mine at Little Cornwallis Island, NWT with Cominco Ltd. For the past 30 years Rob was a letter carrier with Canada Post in Truro, a job he truly enjoyed and where he had made so many friends, both fellow employees and customers on his routes.

Rob was particularly proud of his 34 years of service with the Canadian Forces Reserve Army (Militia), mostly with First Battalion the Nova Scotia Highlanders (North) in C Company at Truro and Authie Company at Pictou and New Glasgow in numerous positions and was company commander of both. He served as Deputy Commanding Officer under several CO’s, and did two years at 36 Canadian Brigade Group HQ at Halifax on the G3 Ops Staff. Rob was on an operational tour in Kabul, Afghanistan during 2003-04. Rob had participated in the Swiss Air Flight 111 recovery operation in 1998 near Peggy’s Cove. He never let us forget about his service “in the ranks” as a Senior NCO (Warrant Officer), prior to becoming a commissioned officer and retiring as a Major in 2011. He had been awarded the General Campaign Star South-West Asia, a Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration with two Clasps. He was a member of the Nova Scotia Highlanders Association and had for several years been on the Advisory Board of the Nova Scotia Highlanders.

Rob was a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and wished yearly for a Stanley Cup.

Rob had been a longtime participant/supporter of the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife April Chown; his son, Ross, Halifax; sister, Kirsten Patterson (Mike), Fredericton, N.B.; twin brother, Bob (Donna), New Glasgow; niece, Kelsey Patterson, Halifax; nephews, Jamie Grant, Halifax, Scott Grant, Montreal, Devin Patterson, Fredericton, NB; aunts, Sylvia Kirwan and Shirley Grant, both of New Glasgow.

Rob was predeceased by paternal grandparents, George and Dorothy Grant and maternal grandparents, Walter and Mabel Fraser as well as his brother, Kerry; a sister Susan in infancy and Uncle, Bob Fraser. w

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 26th from 6 to 8 p.m. with a memorial service, Tuesday, June 27 at 2 p.m., both in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Interment will follow in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens, Alma.

Online condolences may be made at www.ColchesterCommunity.com.