JAMES NEIL GRASSBY, B. Eng, M. Eng, LLD 1918-2011

With the example of a life well spent in the service of his many communities, James (Jim) Neil Grassby, of Sudbury, Ontario, late of Toronto, peacefully left us on January 8, 2011 two weeks before his 93rd birthday. Jim grew up in Winnipeg and was predeceased by his beloved wife, Aileen, in 1996 and by his 6 brothers and 3 sisters. He is survived by his daughters, Claudia Rogers(Bill Fearn), Andrea Valentini, Miriam Grassby(Bill Holt) and by his son Paul Grassby(Cathy Munn). He was the cherished grandfather and great grandfather of 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and a dear uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He studied at the University of Manitoba and completed his Bachelor of Mining Engineering in 1939 at McGill University, as well as his Master's in 1940. During the Second World War, he served as a member of the Canadian Corps of Engineers, primarily in Labrador. He began work with Inco in the mines in and around Sudbury while still a student and spent 42 years with Inco, ending his career in the New York office. While at Inco, he was a major innovator and troubleshooter, including bringing Inco into the computerized world in the early 1960's.

Jim was a major contributor to the Sudbury community, with time, energy and his own funds. He was the founder of the city's first credit unions, helped build the volunteer fire hall and was a founding member of the University of Sudbury, where he volunteered for 45 years. He was also renowned for his decades of fundraising in and for the community. He was very active with the United Way, was a campaign leader for the Theatre du Nouvel Ontario (despite his very limited French) and was involved with Meal on Wheels. He was a founding director of the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth, whose mandate of helping youth at risk was so close to his heart. He always felt surrounded by good people who contributed so much as well to these activities.

In addition to his many outside activities, he taught his new friends in his retirement residences how to play bridge, pool and Scrabble, as well as helping young students to become aware of the value of community service.

Jim was honoured many times over: Bi-Centennial Of Ontario Medal(1982), (Sudbury) Citizen of the Year(1983), Honourary Doctorate, Laurentian University(1986), Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal(2003), Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellowship Award(2003), the Northern Life Community Builders Hall of Fame Award(2006) and the June Callwood Award for Excellence in Volunteerism(2009).

The family wishes to thanks Alberte, his wonderful caregiver of many years in Sudbury and the exceptionally warm and caring staff at Briton House in Toronto. Friends may call at the Murray E. Newbigging Funeral Home, 733 Mt. Pleasant Road in Toronto (416-489-8811) on Saturday January 15. The visitation with the family will take place at 1pm, with a celebration of his life at 2pm to be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory may be made to the James Grassby Youth Fund c/o The Sudbury Community Foundation, 300-96 Larch Street, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 1C1 (sudburycf.ca) or to the charity of your choice.

To view pictures of Dr. James Grassby click here.