Ian Robert Grant

Introduction /Early life

Ian Robert Grant was born on the 19th of January 1924 in Takapau Wairarapa. He loved to swim in the river near his town which is called the Makaretu river. His Dad owned the General store in Takapu. When he was 7 years old year old he experienced the 1931 Napier earthquake and he never forgot it. It was one of the biggest earthquakes in New Zealand's history. Their house lost its chimney! When he was fourteen he went to a boarding school called St Patrick's far from home in Silverstream, near Wellington.

Contributions to family and community

Ian married June (my great gandmother) in 1948 when they were both 24 and they were married for 62 years before he died. Ian and June had 7 children together, 3 boys and 4 girls his oldest daughter Barbara is my Bebe (my grandmother) He also had lots of grandchildren and he called them all fruit nicknames and called them his fruit salad. My mum Anna was the 3rd oldest grandchild and she was called bananas.

He was a teacher and taught courses at the university and taught about famous religious people. And he became a PE lecturer and in his 50s he ran a meditation group and it was taught in his home. He was a very active member of the Devonport church

Conclusion

Ian Robert Grant died on the 14th of February 2012 on Valentines day, He died just after I turned 2. He was so happy at my birthday party because it was the first time I had ever sat on his lap without crying! He died in his favourite chair, in the family home he built with his own hands. His funeral was held at his church, St Francis de Sales and All Souls in Devonport. Ian will be most remembered for being a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. A man who was always looking for knowledge in books and always willing to share that knowledge with his friends and family. I don't remember him as he died when I was little but I know how loved he was by his family.