We Remember
GRINDLAY, Andrew
—
1925-2022
On April 19, 2022, Andrew Grindlay passed away suddenly after a gathering of friends at the Missionwood Retirement Home in Kelowna, BC, where he resided for 6 years. He lived his 96 years of life fully and was in good mind and spirit right up to the end. Andrew was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Barbara (née Middleton). He is survived by his daughters Carol (Craig) and Annie (Justin, and their children Nick & Flynn); and his son Dave.
Andrew was born in Regina, SK. He earned an Engineering degree from U of Sask., 1951; his MBA from UWO, 1957; and PhD from UCLA, 1962. His career was spent teaching at the Ivey School of Business in London, ON. He was managing editor of the Business Quarterly for the last 7 years of his career.
He and his wife Barbara moved to Kelowna in 1999 to be closer to his sister, and to be in the same time zone as their kids! He took great pride in his cottage on Lake Huron as well as his two woodlots nearby, where he nourished, from seedlings, White pine and Black Walnut trees. He was active in Kelowna, joining the Board of the Symphony Orchestra and being a member of the Curling Club. His life motto was “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”. He kept his mind active by creating Filos, a small group of men in Kelowna who researched one worldly topic a month to discuss at their monthly sessions. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, humour, and intelligence. He was a true gentleman! The influence he had on others made this world a better place.
In lieu of flowers, make someone feel better about themselves today. And, be inquisitive!
A Celebration of Life will be held at on SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2022, at 10:00 AM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2022, at 10:00 AM (PDT),
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
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Annette and I send our condolences and deepest sympathy tp Andrew’s family. For about 2 1/2 years, we lived at Missionwood Retirement Resort, where Andrew became our dearest friend and with whom we spent many happy hours over meals, drinks and just plain socializing in our apartment suites. Though we moved out some 18 months ago, we stayed in touch, periodically visited him and took him out for a couple of meals. He invited me to join the Zoom meetings of Filos, and we had a meeting planned just a couple of hours after his untimely passing – that Zoom could not go on, as Andrew was to have hosted that session. What a guy, what a mind, and what a true friend he was. We will miss him so much.
Sending my deepest sympathies condolences to Andrew’s family, friends and everyone that was lucky enough to know such a kind hearted man. I work at Missionwood and always loved seeing Andrew. He was always a very kind and amazing resident and was loved by all here. He will be deeply missed.
This is very sad. Andrew was such a great friend and inspiration to each of us, he became the dean and the soul of our Filo collective, a small discussion group created by the late Mick McGarry with the late Fred Miles who brought in Andrew and others and who have met regularly for the last 15 years. Over that period, Andrew wrote well over 150 scholarly-researched essays on a variety of topics. Amazingly in recent times he convened Zoom meetings and acted as the discussion leader, not missing a beat, until a few days before his passing at 96! Boundless intellectual stamina, it was. We admired his extraordinary academic accomplishments as well as his knowledge of the world gathered through his global interest and avid reading, as well as his experience on the ground in international consulting assignments in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
To Carol, Annie and David, please accept this expression of our most sincere condolences.
The Filos: John Bailey, John Burton, Sandy Campbell, Guy Leclerc, Bob Mason, Jacqueline McGarry (vice Mick), Louise Miles (vice Fred), Ted Swart.
Dear Carol, Anne and Dave, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your father. Both your parents meant so much to me when we were growing up! I was confident I could do well in Computer Science because Andy thought I could and took me to his office at UWO to show me the computers there. Your parents were both very special people. Sending my heartfelt condolences.
What a beautiful tribute to a terrific man and father. You have captured so much of what we experienced – that keen intelligence, kindness, engagement with life in all its forms, from nature in the forest to the life of the mind. Uncle Andy was always so inquisitive and interested in others, what they thought or were doing. His work as editor of the Business Quarterly and my life as a writer/editor meant we had many enjoyable conversations about words, communication and editing. He will be very much missed but I hope his memory and his long life, well lived, remains a comfort and inspiration to you in the time ahead. Love Anne and family.
I have fond memories of Dr Grindlay as a student @ UWO Ivey. He was a wonderful teacher and a gentleman of the first order. Many of us remember Andy at the guy standing back stage as we come off after having received our degrees, offering his congratulations and best wishes for life success. That was the kind of person he was, never in your face but always there to support.. He was the sort of professor a student never forgets. May you rest in peace Dr G.
I met Andrew through the Filos group that my Dad was a part of. Andrew was such a sweet, kind, gentle and cheerful man and he gave the greatest hugs too. He will be greatly missed. Thinking of the family at this sad time.
Dear Carol, Anne and David, my deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. Cherish the many wonderful memories you have.
With Sympathy,
Erin
Dear Grindlay Family,
My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Andrew. I so enjoyed meeting him at the MIssionwood Retirement Resort and delighted in his company while having dinner. He had such riches to share (knowledge, experiences, thoughts, opinions) and leaves a beautiful legacy. Andrew has set such a wonderful example for us all – to live our best life..
Warmest Regards, Dawn Ringrose.
Oh I’m going to miss his birthday calls every July & his other ones during the year. A dear, dear man whom I cherished as did Barry. Our deepest sympathies to Carol,Ann & David..your Dad was a special man
Dear Carol, Annie and Dave, finding the right words to send you is really difficult! My heart feels your sadness and loss! Uncle Andy was such a wonderful part of our small family! My mom, Charlotte, his sister, was so proud of his success and accomplishment! Your dad always said it was my mom, that helped him be successful because in high school she tutored him and made him study! Uncle Andy always mentioned my mom, during our phone conversations, so now I have lost my final connection to her too! This makes your dad’s death even more difficult! I loved him! He never missed calling me on my birthday and sang “Happy Birthday” to me! He had a beautiful singing voice, just like Bing Crosby! He would always laugh when I told. We shared the same birthday month, so I would call him and sing “Happy Birthday” to him too, and we would laugh and chat. He was always interested in how I was doing and always encouraged me. His death has left a huge hole in all our families! You are all in my thoughts and prayers! With heartfelt sympathy, Marion!
Dear Grindlay Family, My deepest condolences to each of you. It was a privilege to know Andrew and to be touched by his kind heart, optimism and keen intellect. His love of learning was truly inspirational! Both your parents were exceptional and their wonderful legacy lives on in each of your lives. May cherished memories bring you comfort and peace.
To the family and all Andy’s friends
To Andy’s family and to all his friends
I hope your memories support you. I cannot stress the admirtion i held for Andy’s mind. We often argued , Inever won!
Dear Carol, Anne & David: Uncle Andy’s passing is a great loss to us. I have very fond memories of the wonderful man he was. When I was little, his visits to the farm were very exciting since he became my playmate, My 8 year old grandson Ronin recently discovered Uncle Andy’s memoirs and is fascinated by the stories. He is curious now about our family and our connections to each other.
I will miss his kindness, sense of humor, his wonderful laugh, and his appreciation of the value or family.
With sympathy: Margaret
Oh, my cousins…my family…what a life to celebrate. Uncle Andy was, and remains, a role model extraordinaire to me. He lived a full and good life, and encouraged the same in everyone. His emphasis on the importance of strong family bonds has helped us through difficult times, and made us all better people, I’m sure; he really knew how to draw out the best in a person. Although he and I chatted on our birthdays and times between, it has not been nearly enough; how I dearly wish I could call him right now and hear his cheery voice as we discuss current events and novel ideas, and share the news of our respective sides of the family. Just once more…but even that would not be enough. May you be lauded and richly rewarded on the other side, dear sir, for an exemplary lifetime of spreading knowledge, kindness, encouragement, and love. You have, over the arc of your life, as in your daily travails, left the world a better place than you found it, and your legacy has a resonance that lives on through each of us, who aspire to be the kind of person that you showed us how to be. You’re one hard act to follow, Uncle Andy, but with great respect, we try our best. Fare thee well, oh gentle soul, and thank you for your humour, which still gives me a chuckle and helps to assuage the sadness of your passing.
Fond regards
Cousin Grant
As a longtime member of the Okanagan Symphony, I am so grateful, both for all that Andrew contributed as a board member during a challenging period of our history, and for my personal memories of conversations shared with him. His kindness and optimism were always appreciated, and I learned much from his wisdom and experience. My heartfelt condolences to his family; may his memory be for a blessing.
We are so sorry to hear of Uncle Andy’s passing. He was a true inspiration to all those who knew him. Dan says he always enjoyed speaking with him at family picnics at their cottage in Bayfield. Uncle Andy always gave ideas and words of encouragement for whatever the conversation entailed. There are many great memories of when the Middleton Family got together. I’m so glad that Marnie, Cindy and I visited with Uncle Andy when we travelled to Kelowna a couple years ago. RIP Uncle Andy. Love Shelley, Dan, Kelsey and Angel Kate
My heartfelt condolences to Andy’s family and friends. While Andy went to University in Saskatoon, he worked with my dad at Maguire (later Reliance) Lumber Company. He soon became a regular dinner guest in our home. My little sister, just 2 or 3 years old at the time, would just blossom in his presence and used to dream of someday marrying him. Back then the University chorus would annually stage an operetta at the old Capitol Theatre. We had a friend who would sneak us in the stage door at the matinees so we had front-row seats. I remember watching for Andy in the chorus. Most details have faded, but Brigadoon figures largely. Such excitement!
In the early ‘90’s, I was travelling by car with a friend in southern Ontario. Hadn’t seen Andy for decades. Just heard from him in ‘89 on my parents’ 50th. But called to see if we could visit. Bad weather, poor planning, and a kind and receptive host and hostess led to dinner and an overnight stay at their lovely London home. Their kindness and his fatherly counsel over breakfast I will cherish always.
I only learned of Andy’s passing today, and I pass on my sincere condolences to his family and friends. In 1964, I was a first-year MBA student at UWO, when I first met Dr Grindlay, who I would say had the thankless task of teaching Statistics to a diverse class of 60+ students that included a broad array of talent, of which more than 50% had marginal mathematical skills at best. But he did it, and he did it well. Many, many yeas later, Andy and I met again here in the Okanagan Valley. I was developing a new winery (Burrowing Owl in Oliver) when Andy called to invite me to come to a social and give a short talk to the local UWO business school association, which I did. It was good fun and we stayed in touch for quite a few years subsequently. I really appreciated the effort that Andy put in to energizing these Okanagan business school alumni, just out of loyalty to the school. He was a gentle man, a kind and thoughtful man, always with a twinkle in his eye and a smile, We will all miss him.