Obituary of Kenneth Robert Grass

It is with broken hearts, we announce the passing of Kenneth (Ken) Robert Grass of Saint John, on September 7th, 2024, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Having grown up in Bloomfield, he was the beloved son of the late Robert (Huckle) Grass and Grace (Mercer) Grass. He had just celebrated his 80^th birthday in July with a cottage BBQ attended by his entire family.

Ken enjoyed 56 years of happiness with his wife Kathy (Herrington) Grass, with whom he raised two children Jeff (Jennifer) Grass of Campbellton and Sarah (Dave) Mullins of Halifax. He was lovingly known as Grampy by his four grandchildren Riley, Paityn, Ethan and Lucas. He is also survived by his sister Maxine (Brian) Lackie, sisters-in-law Carol Ann Makepeace and Kim Richards, as well has his brother-in-law Jimmy (Geri) Herrington and several nieces, nephews and close friends.

Family and friends were incredibly important to Ken. Whether it was a large Thanksgiving dinner, a dock party with friends or a birthday BBQ, he always loved having a crowd around. Grampy also found great joy in his grandchildren, especially their summer visits to their cottage (without their parents!) where they would boat, swim, learn golf and tennis, and have campfires on the beach. A summer was never complete without shooting off fireworks from the beach.

In his early days, he enjoyed canoeing and back country camping with his family, hunting with his friends and was a member of the Kinsman Club in Sackville, Nova Scotia until his return to Saint John in the late 1980s. Ken loved all animals and any outdoor activity.

Ken loved his career as a Regional Sales Manager working for Canron and then Canada Pipe for almost four decades. He retired at age 60 to enjoy cottage life on Kennebecasis Island where he enjoyed boating, golfing and puttering around their beautiful waterfront property.

He was a member of the Thistle St Andrews Curling Club for over 35 years and volunteered as a Bus Driver for Kennebec Manor for almost a decade. Ken was a member of St Luke’s Anglican Church and enjoyed his time ringing the kettle bell for the salvation army.

Ken’s true passion though was spending time with his wife Kathy with whom he could often be found shooting a round of golf, boating up the river for dinner, cheering for their grandchildren on the sidelines, or travelling the world. They enjoyed touring Europe, walking miles of many Caribbean shorelines, sailing the Straits of Florida to Cuba, driving Route 66 and their annual winter retreat to the “beach condo” on Indian Shore’s Beach. What they shared in 5 minutes, some don’t get in a lifetime.

Special thanks to Carol Ann who has provided both emotional and practical support during this most difficult time.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). The family will receive visitors at Brenan’s on Wednesday, September 11th, from 6pm to 8pm. A Celebration of Life will take place from St. Luke’s Anglican Church (369 Main Street) on Thursday, September 12th, 2024, at 12:00pm. A reception will follow. Words of comfort may be shared at www.brenansfh.com. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Canadian Red Cross or charity of choice.