1929 to 2025
Son, Brother, Uncle
Engineer, Pilot, Aerial Surveyor, Map Maker, Genealogist
Grant passed peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, at the age of 95. He was the eldest son of the late Ina Moore Mervyn Kenney and the late Arthur Mervyn and stepson of the late Noble Kenney. Grant was a brother of the late Ross Mervyn and brother-in-law of the late Marlene Mervyn.
With a dry sense of humour and witnessing nearly a century of life, Grant shared with us:
“I was born on October 27, 1929 at 20 Forest Avenue in Sault Sainte Marie. My arrival was a dark day for the world. On October 28, a notice was published in the Sault Star announcing my birth. On October 29, after the world realized I was here, the stock market crashed, and the great depression began. You have no idea how great a burden this has been for me, having to take the blame for such a sad event!”
Grant’s childhood was filled with fond memories of growing up on Forest Avenue, however, at the young age of 11, Grant experienced a tremendous loss in the untimely death of his beloved father Arthur. Grant found solace in academics and pursued an education at Queen’s University where he graduated with a BSc in Electrical Engineering in 1956. He found great purpose and belonging during his years at Queen’s and it shaped his future path.
His working life appeared to be a remarkable ‘Indiana Jones’ adventure. As an engineer and pilot, he documented, photographed and surveyed the world from the sky…travelling and working in many continents: The Americas, Africa, Australia and every place in between, including the Arctic. He had a fondness for Australia and developed strong meaningful friendships while there.
In 1967, he was a proud founding partner of Terra Surveys, a company that had a global reach in aerial surveying and map making. During the 1960’s through to the late 1980s, his home base was along the Ottawa River in Constance Bay where he found camaraderie in his community of neighbours.
In retirement, a deep love and commitment to his mother Ina, led him to return to Sault Sainte Marie to be nearer to her. Again, Grant gravitated to water and lived on the shore of Lake Superior at Batchawana Bay. As a solitary man, the ties of family intrigued him. He was our family historian. He had a passion for genealogy and dedicated years to researching his Mervyn, Moore, Merrylees, and Yuill lineage. Only after thorough computer research would he quietly and confidently share his discoveries. A recent successful connection was an ancestor traced to 15th century London, England. Grant was a word sleuth and relished the written word, finding joy in tackling a crossword and did so up until his final days.
He was a generous uncle to Victoria (Mark) Santana, Janice Mervyn and Mark Gaudet of Ottawa. Great uncle to Stormer (Brenda) Santana, Jake, Olivia and Isabella Gaudet.
The family would like to express its gratitude for the kindness, compassion and support of the many health care providers during Grant’s short stay in hospital. Our local paramedics, Dr. Moreau, Dr. Waqas, Dr. Jarrett and the nursing staff of Emerg and 3B. Special thanks is given to his condo neighbours (Penny and Susan) who kept a close watch during his later years while he lived with fierce independence until his recent arrival to hospital.
May he be in the arms of his parents now, sipping his favourite Australian red with his beloved pups “Paddy”, “Jed” and “Jack” by his side.
Cremation has occurred with a future private inurnment at Old Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations (made payable by cheque or online) to the Sault Area Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East 705-759-2522). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.