Jon King Grant

Passed away on November 27th at the age of 89. Predeceased by Shelagh his spouse, best friend and fellow traveller, and his sister Linda Hicks. Survived by his three children, Susan Grant (Bob Fitzgerald), Debbie Aben (Mike), and David Grant (Cécile Gambin) and his six grandchildren, Chelsea and Alex, Michael and Sean, and Sébastien and Luc, each having travelled with Shelagh and Jon.

A graduate of Western University’s Ivey Business School, Jon’s career was frequently reinvented from business to not for profit, volunteer, the environment, governance, and philanthropy. After almost twenty years as CEO of Quaker Oats of Canada, he retired as its Chair to continue with his board responsibilities in the corporate and public arena including a seventeen-year tenure as a director of CCL Industries, ten of which as Chair, and six years as Chair of Canada Lands.

As Chair of the Ontario Round Table on the Environment and Economy in the early 90’s, Jon helped to convince corporate Canada that Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship lead to more profitable business plans. Continuing with his work in the environment, he chaired the Nature Conservancy, the Ontario Biodiversity Council, was a founding supporter of the Georgian Bay Land Trust, was Vice-Chair of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and a commissioner of the Canadian Polar Commission.

Jon was a member of numerous corporate boards, many of which he held the position of chair including Scott Paper, Laurentian Bank, Atlas Cold Storage, and as Vice-Chair of Agricore United. He was Chair of the Board of Governors of Trent University, Governor Emeritus, and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in 1991. He was Chair of the Bagnani Trust, and a founder and trustee of the T.H.B Symons Trust.

Jon chaired the Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada, and lectured at both Ivey and Rotman Business schools. He was the Executive in Residence at the Director’s College and a Trustee of the Institute of Corporate Directors. He spoke widely on issues such as corporate governance, the environment, and public service. Jon was honoured by the Canadian Federation of Humanities with the Corporate Humanist Award, and he was presented with the Sustainable Development Award for Business Leadership by the Washington Global Tomorrow Coalition. In 2002, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and received the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals in 2002 and 2012. Shelagh and Jon as fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society were jointly awarded the Bernier Medal in 2017.

Jon and Shelagh both travelled the world for business, Jon’s environmental activities, and Shelagh’s Arctic lectures, but they always came back home, whether in Peterborough, their Island retreat at Pointe au Baril in Georgian Bay, or their Tremblant log cabin nestled in the trees of the Rivière Diable.

After Shelagh’s passing, Jon and his dear friend Beth McMaster thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company when attending the theater, during frequent dinners out, and at special events.

“We make a living by what we got but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

There will be a private family funeral, and a Celebration of Life at the Canadian Canoe Museum in the New Year. Given size limitations of the venue, please email the Grant Family at [email protected] to receive updates regarding the date and time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Peterborough, 325 London Street, Peterborough ON K9H 2Z5.