August 9, 1957 – June 20, 2024
Born August 9, 1957 in Winnipeg Manitoba, died June 20, 2024. On Thursday, June 20 while surrounded by his family, Grant Becker peacefully passed away. Grant will be remembered as a son, brother, husband, father, and a dear friend. His warmth, knowledge, and curiosity he brought to every gathering will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Grant is survived by his wife of 31 years Miriam; his two sons Isaak and Noah; his mother Rose Becker; and his sisters Lisa (Bernie) and Tracey (Grant); along with numerous other branches sprouting from his family tree.
Grant was through and through a lover of life. His passion for “experience” developed in the days of his childhood, accompanying his father on his 7Up delivery truck as a sales rep darting from one Manitoba summer fair to another. This developing passion took true flight after the completion of his university Business degree, leading him to find professions in grocery sales and hardware sales – what these had in common was the ability to drive or fly from city to city, working during the day but exploring the land through the evenings and weekends. These trips, along with the vacations from meticulously collected points and flight rewards, resulted in crunching the sands of Hawaii, Aruba, and Grenada underneath his size 12 feet, or staying away from the drinking water in Mexico, Greece, and Spain, or simply eating up the dashes on the pavement leading through the states of the USA, west to the grand city of Regina for annual Labor Day Blue Bomber games, or up to Gimli area to visit extended family and walk the pier. The ability to live through these traveling experiences was of course made easy by his “gift of the gab”.
Grant was one of those individuals who could walk into any given building, and walk out with at least two new friends, a bag of popcorn, and directions to the nearest hole-in-the-wall diner that served the best Fatboy for miles around. These diners were another part of living through experience for Grant, as he truly loved trying all food with an adventurous and diverse palate.
When not seeking out the weird and wacky statues that make small towns famous, Grant would satiate his curiosity through the news to be up to date with current events. These would be uncovered through the evening news, CJOB talk radio, Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader books, or famously his ability to read through the entire Winnipeg Free Press cover to cover. By soaking up all this knowledge, Grant would then have enough foundational information to strike up those conversations with future friends. Of course, the news would not stop with the articles, as Grant loved seeking out the deals found in weekly flyers. Notes would then be compared with his mom during their frequent visits before stocking up on jars of peanut butter or trays of Heinz Lightly Browned Pork n Beans that were on such a good deal it would be silly not to bring those home to stock the already overflowing pantry.
The deals Grant would search for would encompass many different avenues, as his affinity for collecting became a part of who he was. Many of these were mementos and photos from his travels, although his collecting included sports memorabilia from his beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders or Jets 1.0, along with inexplicable items such as M&M’s candy merchandise and vintage farming items…he was a city boy born and raised in Winnipeg but a country boy at heart. This was a testament to who Grant was to his core, he was a man who could see the value in everything and everyone that crossed his path and made sure nothing left an interaction with him without feeling accomplished and having a purpose.
The Becker family extends their appreciation and gratitude to the doctors and nurses on the 2nd floor ICMS at St. Boniface Hospital.
A Celebration of Grant’s life will be held on July 14, 2024, from noon to 3:00 p.m., at St. Norbert Community Centre, where family and friends can share their memories.
In lieu of flowers, consider paying it forward by making a donation to a charity of your choice, or simply starting a conversation with someone about any topic under the blue sky. This simple act would have Grant smiling wide in the heavens above.
14 thoughts on “Grant Frederick Carey Becker”
May all these warm & special memories you shared stay with you all & bring you comfort through all the days ahead.
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY
Uncle Don & Auntie Anna Becker & family
Loren &Kelly & family
My condolences to you all. I lost my mum this year to complications from diabetes and cervical cancer, it at least as the only non estranged member of the family, after 20 of trying to understand how, why and who’s doing ,as I say in Selkirk and pondered many things. I also lost the last of mum two brothers , the taller of two having taken 2 years to find out. So part of that SelkirkMHC adjustment to facing later life broke, as of then technically homeless and the stigma that sought to assure to, assuring it, I spent my time reflecting on what a bond your family chose, and how well grounded and cemented your bonds were were. I tried.
While I didn’t know that part of your family , I knew Donald Beckers daughters and courted one for 5-6 years or so, Annes Mom and Dad and sister that Loren and Kelley called Boba and Gigi with affection- sounding very much like my baby dialogue from pre nursery years on England.
I so knew Bill Markusa, his wife and of course Helen and Marcy (keeping it warm for me? Those mesh get cold on those mix tops, don’t they. : ) Never forget your windshield .they make a difference)
I hope you have found a way cope and I know your will plough on through. My condolences, Loren.” What am I good for, and who l**ed me? What I was wondering. Miss you.
My condolences to the Becker Family, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Debbie R colleague of Miriam
Miriam and family,
We were very sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Gale and Bert Walker
So sorry to hear of your loss.
May memories of your husband bring comfort to you & your family.
Love & Prayers,
Albert & Lillian Unrau
Sorry to hear of your loss, Miriam. Praying for comfort for you and your sons.
Bernie & Edna Toews
To Miriam, Isaak, Noah, and extended family,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Grant’s passing. May his memory be a blessing.
Bonnie & Joel
To Miriam and family, you are in my thoughts. May the memories you shared bring you comfort in the days ahead. So sorry for your loss….Karen Owen from Linden Meadows.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our heartfelt condolences to Miriam and family.
Jocelyn & Bob McPike
We will always remember Grant’s warmth, generosity and playful sense of mischief. The twinkle in his eye said it all.
Sending deepest condolences and all our love,
Alison and David from London, England
To Miriam (my best friend) Isaak & Noah (fine young men)
Our sincere & heartfelt condolence’s to you all and your extended family. May your memories be precious as he left this earth way too soon. God Bless the Becker family!
We will always remember Grant’s warmth, generosity and playful sense of mischief. The twinkle in his eye said it all.
With our deepest sympathy and love,
Alison and David from London, England
Auntie Rose and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Grant’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the memories you shared bring you peace. Love always. Gilles, Pat and family❤️
Our most sincere condolences and warmest thoughts go out to Aunty Rose, Tracy, Grant, Lisa, Bernie and families, and to Miriam and your sons. I first knew Grant as one of the somewhat mysterious ‘out of town’ cousins that we would see at the farm now and then but got to know him better throughout the following years and at the University of Manitoba with him later on. Grant was the definition of a nice guy! He was always friendly, positive, curious and happy, and although you’ve all lost him much too soon, I’m sure these character qualities provided him with a very happy life full of wonderful relationships and you are provided with very special memories of him. We hope these memories help you through this tough time of loss. Love and good thoughts from Cindy, Jeff and family, and Aunty Helen. Vancouver, BC