Obituary of Grant Olynik
Walter “Grant” Olynik
May 21, 1950 – May 21, 2023
On his 73rd birthday, with family by his side, Grant Olynik passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. After years of several health issues, Grant passed suddenly, but peacefully and comfortably, with care and compassion.
Grant was born and raised by his grandparents in Portage la Prairie, graduating from Psychiatric Nursing in 1971, going on to receive his RN in 1973. He worked at the Portage Development Centre from 1973-1974 and as a Public Health Nurse in Erickson from 1974-1975.
Grant married Lynda Small in Arden, Manitoba on August 30, 1975, moved to Brandon, and they were blessed with two daughters, Amy Lynn born in 1979 and Lacey Leigh in 1981.
Summers were spent camping, golfing and playing fastball, slo-pitch, and watching the girls play softball. During winters Grant enjoyed playing broomball and cross-country skiing.
Grant worked as a geriatric psych nurse at the Brandon Mental Health Centre from 1975-1995, and thoroughly enjoyed being social convener to annual staff functions, parties, and golf games with colleagues and friends. With the closing of BMHC he went to Rideau Park Personal Care Home from 1995-2001, and into retirement worked at the Brandon General Hospital – Supply Department, Brandon Support Services and various Delivery Services until 2019 when his health would no longer allow.
While work was definitely at the forefront and instilled in all his family, the true pride and joy for Grant were his five grandchildren. Grandpa was their #1 fan, and could be found at many hockey rinks, ball diamonds, soccer pitches and school gyms all across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Grant and Lynda enjoyed a seasonal campsite at Aspen Grove for the past 20 years, meeting many special friends, making memories with the family and hosting several milestone celebrations there. So as usual, Grant just could not wait to get out there to open up and cruise the campground on his scooter! We are happy he at least got to enjoy one night there this year.
Grant is survived by his wife, Lynda; daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and Corey Grift and Lacey and Jamie Didrick; the “FAB” five, grandchildren, Jason, Calle, Peyton, Kendra and Rogen; sister-in-law Irene and Dennis Magwood and family; cousins, David, John and Kathie Whitehill, Bob Olynyk and Judy Samuels.
We as a family are grateful to the health care professionals who assisted over the years in various ways.
Grant’s remains will be interred by his family privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Grant may be made to the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex, c/o Bev Neufeld, 22 Prelude Bay, Brandon, MB, R7B 3T4 or to the Carnduff Ball Park, Box 639, Carnduff, SK, S0C 0S0.
Please don’t sing sad songs for me,
Forget your grief and fears,
For I am in a perfect place,
Away from pain and tears…
My life on earth was very good,
As earthly lives can go,
But Heaven is so much more,
Then anyone can know…
