Obituary of Grant Neil
It is with great sadness that the family of Raymond Grant announce his sudden passing on March 3, 2023, at the age of 65. Grant will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Bev Neil; daughters and grand-children, Sherri-Jo Neil, Samantha Neil (Andrew) and sons Parker and AJ, Melissa Whiteside (Justin) and daughter Blake; sisters Gloria Dufour (Brad), Debbie Dalley; brothers-in-law Phil Eiswirth, Reiner Brittner, John Good (Pat), Bruce Good (Bertie), Earl Good (Marilyn) and by his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, colleagues, and many friends. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Wilson “Sonny” Muir Neil, Ann Holowaty; step-father Alex Holowaty; siblings Tom Neil, Mary-Ann Eiswirth, and Bev Brittner; brother-in-law Stuart Good; and sister-in-law June Warren.
Grant was born November 26, 1957, in Canora, SK, starting life as a Navy Brat with his early years in BC. Tragedy changed his life at six when he lost his father, moving his family back to SK to be closer to his extended family. A few years later, his mother remarried Alex Holowaty, who already had three daughters, so Grant spent the rest of his childhood in small-town SK as a family of 8. Grant’s interest in agriculture started early and had him helping out at his aunt & uncle’s nearby farm when he was as young as 8. Grant attended high school in Kamsack and spent his spare time curling and playing hockey.
After high school, Grant pursued a career in Agriculture with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Co-op Ag, Yorkton Distributors and Synergy Ag. He was dedicated to the Yorkton community as a Director and term President of the Yorkton Exhibition Board for approximately 20 years, volunteering at many events. He gave his time to the Yorkton Community Theatre, MacGyver-ing anything and everything for five years. He also helped with sets and backgrounds for the YRHS, Paper Bag Players and 5678 Dance Studio.
Grant was a hard-working family man who would help anyone at any time as an expression of his care for them. He enjoyed sharing his interest in fishing, riding horses, Nascar, reading, and carpentry with his girls and grandkids. Giving his family opportunities to see their desires come to fruition was the driver for all that he did; his hard work was a means of supporting & loving them. He will be forever remembered and missed by all.
The Funeral Service was held on March 9, 2023 at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre, Yorkton, SK with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant, officiating. The musical selections were “Don’t Blink” and "The Dance”. Allona Zeiben and Grant’s grandchildren were the candlelighters and Words of Remembrance were shared by the Neil Family. The interment service took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Troy Zeiben, Lorne Zeiben, Brent Zeiben, Terry Eritz, Dave Legge and Brian Eckhart serving as casket-bearers. The honorary-bearers were Bev Fookes, Murray Khadiken and Shaun Morin. Memorial donations may be made to the Yorkton Exhibition Grandstand Fund or STARS Air Ambulance as gifts of remembrance. Messages of condolence may be shared at baileysfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral Home, Yorkton.
