YORKTON - Grant Neil was what you might call a ‘genuine volunteer’ who offered up his time for a number of organizations throughout the parkland, including the Yorkton Exhibition Assoc. which marks with sadness his recent passing.
Grant had a willingness to give of his time and his efforts were greatly appreciated.
It was back in January 1998, Grant was elected onto the Board and through the years he served on a number of committees and was president in 2011 & 2012.
Some of his favourites were the Harness Racing, Rodeo, Chariot & Chuckwagon Races, Harvest Showdown Commercial Cattle Show & Sale, CPCA and of course the Truck & Tractor Pulls.
Dave Nussbaumer recalls he and Grant really got to know one another through the fair board.
“For over 20 years I watched Grant work tirelessly with or without any other volunteers,” he said adding Grant was always eager with a hammer.
“When it came to building something Grant was the first in with both hands.”
The pair became fair board friends.
“We worked closely on many events together but our biggest project was bringing Parimutuel Horse Racing back to Yorkton, Sk.
“Without people like Grant the track would not have been in as good of shape as it was.
“When it came to running the Harness Racing truck Grant was always there and that was no easy task. Always the guy behind the scenes but truly the “spark plug” of the work bees!”
It’s efforts like that that will be hard to replace.
“It will take two people to replace a person like Grant. He will be missed and remembered by many in Yorkton,” said Nussbaumer.
Lyle Walsh echoed sentiments regarding Grant’s dedication to the fair board.
“He always offered his opinion and respected others opinions. He worked towards the EX getting bigger and better all the time and was a good team player and worked well with others. He really enjoyed his work with the EX.
“Grant was very quiet natured kind and pleasant to be around.
“He spent hundreds of hours helping the ex with its projects.
“A true friend to YEX directors, employees and exhibitors -- His contributions to the organization will always be remembered and missed.”
Larry Hilworth recalled Grant’s Ex efforts too.
“Memories of early days when Grant and I were in the Exhibition parade Committee with the Parade Marshall Stan Stephenson. Stan would have Grant and I up hours in advance of the parade to stake out spots for the parade entrants.
Grant was always eager to help whether it was the parade or for so many years the on the Fair and Ex Board. You would always see him driving a forklift, driving a tractor, watering the track, organizing the infield for the tractor pulls or the Chuck wagons.
He worked tirelessly and was always there to lend a helping hand. He was a carpenter and built lots of stuff including props for the Yorkton shows. He certainly was a doer and not someone that waited around to see what needed to be done. He saw it and did it ! He put his head down, locked on his cap and got whatever needed to be done - most of the time with a cigarette close at bay.
Over the years Grant spent many hours brainstorming, working tirelessly and also enjoying laughter with those associated with the exhibition association and for that he is truly missed, echoes another long time board member Penny Sandercock.
The willingness to help extended to Grant’s career too.
Dave Nussbaumer recalls he first met Grant when Dave was farming and Grant worked at the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Farm Service Center – in the mid 1980’s.
“He always went above and beyond,” Dave recalled.
That was something Len Malinowski noted too, that whenever he called Grant was ready to help.
“It didn’t matter the time he’d meet you. Service was number one,” he said.
Hilworth recalled Grant’s business side too.
“I remember Grant from the wheat pool days and later with the Coop Ag Supply and then over to work with Yorkton Distributors until he partnered with Synergy Ag.
“He was involved in Ag for so many years and became a trusted advisor to so many farmers from scouting their crops to chemical and seed recommendations he knew what was requested and suggested it. He simplified things for all us farmers hand writing mixing instructions for chemical application to make sure we did it right given that we purchase it by litres and spray it by gallons lol. He helped us metric conversion challenged producers.”
Len Malinowski summed it up simply by saying when Grant made a crop recommendation you simply trusted it as been right and followed it.
A colleague at Synergy AG, said you may hear this repeatedly today that Grant was a hard worker, and he was. You never had to ask for his help – he just showed up. He saw what needed to be done and he just did it. He was committed to any project he was working on whether it was for business, his own personal projects or for his family.
Grant was quiet but had a great sense of humour. We saw his compassionate side with his kids and grandkids, and we saw his friendly side with every person that walked through our doors. People of all ages he called “Young Fella” or “Young Lady.”
Grant’s personality also included his impressive moustache, his cowboy boots, and his stockpile of tools. If a customer came into the office and couldn’t remember Grant’s name – they would ask for the guy with the moustache. Grant’s nickname at work was Walker. He couldn’t fight like Chuck Norris, but he had Chuck’s fighting spirit, his moustache and cowboy boots. Grant’s boots were his signature style. We would often tease Grant about wearing cowboy boots on the beach when he went on vacation.
Grant knew everyone. This would add hours to an intended “quick” visit or delivery. This was not a terrible thing though. He was the kind of person that would take the time to see how you and your family were doing. He treated people well and that is something everyone should strive for.
Grant took pride in his work, and he was proud of his many roles.
He was proud to work with the Yorkton Exhibition and he was in his element when he was surrounded by horses at the Harness Races, working at the Truck and Tractor pulls and hanging out with the Monster Trucks. We miss him more than words can express. We will never forget Grants connections to our community and his community minded spirit.
This is the perfect place to honour Grant.
Grant will also be greatly missed as a friend to many.
Ultimately Hilworth summed it perhaps best saying he recalled Grant as a friend, a father, a husband, a businessman and a man that gave tirelessly to so many community things and events.
He is definitely missed by so many and he certainly left a “mark” on Yorkton for what he did and volunteered over the years. I miss him RIP my friend.
