GRONDIN, Dr. Sean Christopher
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Sean Christopher Grondin, November 14, 2022, aged 56. Devoted husband of Cathy Macpherson and much loved and adoring father to Ben and Kate Grondin.
Sean was born in Edmonton, Alta., September 16, 1966. Beloved son of Dr. Deirdre and Dr. Conde Grondin, and loving brother to Sheila (Rocky) Lyons, and Tanya (Shane) Dewitt; uncle to Shelby, and Drew Lyons, Kaitlyn, Mackenzie, and Chase Dewitt, and Sarah Worth; loved son-in-law of Stan and Heather Macpherson, and brother-in-law to Greg Macpherson and Alex Macpherson. Sean was predeceased by dear sister-in-law and friend Suzanne Macpherson.
After graduating from Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax, N.S., Sean completed a general surgery residency at Dalhousie University and a thoracic surgery residency at the University of Toronto from 1996-1998. He subsequently completed a thoracic oncology fellowship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Effectiveness at the Harvard School of Public Health. In 2000, he finished a second fellowship in Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
Sean began his clinical practice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. In 2002, Sean, Cathy, and their two children returned to their Canadian roots moving to Calgary, where Sean would spend the next 20 years developing his career at Foothill Medical Center. Sean was a Professor of Surgery at the University of Calgary and served 4 years as Academic and Clinical Head of the Department of Surgery for the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services. Sean most recently served as a Regent for the American College of Surgeons and President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Sean was a proud past president of the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons.
Life is more than work, and Sean knew that. Sean loved sport and continued to play both soccer and hockey throughout his lifetime. While in medical school, he captained the Dalhousie University men’s soccer team. A point of great delight and pride for Sean was that his son, Ben, also captained the Dalhousie soccer squad during his time as an undergraduate. To Sean, family was everything. He loved and admired his parents and sought their counsel throughout his life. He loved his sisters dearly. Nothing was more important to Sean than his wife and children. They were his world. Sean was in awe of his children and took great joy in sharing in their lives.
Sean was a master surgeon. The field has lost a great clinician. Sean was a wonderful friend. Sean was a loving, devoted family man. We will miss him every day and we will cherish the time we had.
A Memorial Reception and Celebration of Dr. Grondin’s Life will be held in Mcinnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, November 19, 2022, between 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Brief tributes will be shared at 11 a.m. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed at www.mhfh.com.
In living memory of Dr. Sean Grondin, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by Mcinnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.