In memory of

Owen Peter Grimbly

August 20, 1930 -  January 16, 2021

It is with deep sadness that we announce that our much beloved Father, Owen Peter Grimbly, died on January 16, 2021 at Toronto Bridgepoint Health Centre at 90 years of age. He told us that he had lived a happy and fulfilling life. His biggest fear of dying was how to divide his time in heaven with his two loves: our dear Mother Patricia Corinne Grimbly (Doyle) and Dad’s “sweetheart” partner of the last 25 years, Mildred (Mickey) Alexander.

The last year was difficult for Dad. In January 2020, almost exactly one year ago, he was just settling into his new home at Beach Atrium Retirement. This is in the community where he grew up and raised his family of 8 children and where he was familiar with friends and family in the neighborhood. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Joni Baldwin, Kathy Clutterbuck and all of the staff at the Beach Atrium who were very proactive and successful in protecting Dad and the other residents and trying to manage their physical and mental needs in the most challenging of circumstances. When Covid19 restrictions began and we were unable to visit him for months, his mental and physical well-being deteriorated rapidly. During this time, he received many phone calls and letters from friends and family and he deeply appreciated and was heartened by them. Dad was very faithful about visiting people in need or in poor health so it’s especially sad to know that he was unable to get visits at a time he needed them most. As most of you know, he was a very social being. When some restrictions were lifted in the summer and we were able to visit for a while, he had an amazing upturn and was even playing cards, cracking jokes – and making some wagers – which he loved. In the fall, he was moved to Bridgepoint where he was only permitted two essential caregivers: Susan and Peter made it a priority to visit Dad every day and provided loving care. Kathryn managed all the discussions with the medical contacts. A special thank-you to all three!

As most of you know, Dad was a consummate storyteller. He loved to share an anecdote, at his own pace, with perhaps a little embellishment and a punchline. A few years ago, Kathryn and her husband Ken Tilley conducted a series of interviews with Dad where he told his life story in his own words. This included some stories that we have heard many, many times and some new ones.

Dad was born in Toronto in August 1930 to Russian immigrant parents Maria Tsun and Fyodor Zhelka. His biological parents struggled with their new life in Canada and were not able to care for Dad. He was in a foster home for the first 4 years of his life until his mother, Dorothy Grimbly (Hetherington) chose him to be her son. Both Dorothy and Dad loved to tell the story of that day when Dorothy was walking on Park Street in Scarborough and she saw Dad playing with his foster care worker and she fell in love with him and took him home where he became part of the Grimbly family with his father (Harry) and sister (Joan). He had a special love for his Uncle Jack who treated him very kindly when he was growing up. Dad grew up in the Beaches (or the Beach if you prefer). He had tons of stories about the high-jinks he got up to in his school life at Courcelette and RH King, and all the jobs he always had and how he liked to spend his money shooting pool and playing craps.

Dad tells the story of meeting our Mother at a party where they both had brought other dates but when they saw each other across the dance floor, they fell in love. They began their marriage in an apartment building near the Toronto Hunt Club where they started a family. Susan, Kathryn and Michael were born there and when the family outgrew it, they moved to Windsor Avenue. Dad’s father (Harry), notorious for being a hard taskmaster and tight-fisted with money, helped Dad to buy his first home. Paul, David, Peter and Mary were born at Windsor.

In the meantime, Dad was embarking on his career in the fashion business. He started working at Simpsons (an iconic Toronto department store) and then worked on Spadina Avenue in what is now known on as the Fashion District. He worked for JH Warsh and Co. for many years then eventually decided he wanted to have his own business, which he did for many years, even having his own fashion line. Dad loved to dress up Mom and we kids in the very latest fashions, usually matching outfits, which sometimes we liked and other times not so much. He was also a natty dresser. He liked to be well groomed, a handsome man with a great head of hair, and he liked to get a manicure. He travelled a lot for his work, mostly to Montreal, another fashion industry hub, and to Western Canada where he had an office in Vancouver. Many of us were lucky to take part in the annual pilgrimage to drive the samples van across the country (he called it the Orange Blossom Special because he adored Johnny Cash and he liked Kenny Rogers, too). Dad enjoyed travelling a lot and in addition to Canada, he had a timeshare in Mexico he would go to every year. He loved to drive to Florida and in recent years his sister Joan took him on a trip to Russia where he learned about his family history and background. He loved absorbing everything about Russia and had several books on Russia which were very important to him. In the ‘60s, he was reunited with his biological family through a lucky coincidence. There was a story in the Toronto Star about a Russian family with 4 boys and 4 girls (just like us) and they had all found each other except for a brother, Peter, who of course was Dad! He contacted the paper and threw a get-together and got to know some of his family with whom he kept in touch over the years.

One of Dad’s ambitions was to own a home on Fallingbrook or Glen Manor in the Beach and as the family began to outgrow Windsor Avenue, he and Mom were on the lookout for a new home. A real estate agent called them as they were on their way to a movie at the Fox Theatre and they closed the deal for 242 Glen Manor in 15 minutes so they wouldn’t be late for the show. In 1964, we moved into Glen Manor which Dad loved. Jacqueline was born in 1967 and rounded up the family evenly with 4 boys and 4 girls with help from our live-in Great Aunt Augustine Bourdon (Teenie). Dad loved family life and was an avid Super 8 cameraman. He had a gigantic hi-beam light stick with 4 penetrating bulbs that he would use when filming and, although we didn’t always appreciate being blasted with light then, we are very grateful to have those films now: babies, cats, dogs, Christmas, birthdays, Easter, church picnics, sack races, first days of school, first communions, backyard skating rinks, hockey games, golf games, summers at the cottage boating swimming, fishing, road trips to Expo ’67, and some embarrassing moments we would have preferred to forget. Any time we watched them with Dad in the past few years, he would always cry. He loved those days.

In 1982, with us kids growing up and starting to leave the nest, it was time to downsize (and perhaps get a little closer to Scarboro Golf Club). As much as Glen Manor was “Dad’s” house, Guildwood was “Mom’s” house. She absolutely loved it. Peter, David and Jackie moved to Guildwood for about 5 years until our Mother passed away, too early, in January 1989, ending a big chapter in our lives.

Dad was very lucky to have found two loves in his life. His sister Joan introduced him to Mickey with whom he has been for the past 25 years. They enjoyed a happy life together travelling, going to shows and the opera, reading, playing bridge, being social with many friends. We also got to know Mickey’s son (Rick Alexander) and daughter (Heather Alexander) whom Dad also loved very much. Dad looked forward to throwing a Christmas party every year at the club and always wore a tux and sent us missives insisting we dress UP – he wanted it to be festive. In later years, Dad went on an annual fishing trip with “the Boys” and some outings with “the Girls”. The last time we girls took him out for a day at the races, there was a famous (retired) jockey Dad knew from past days when he owned a share in a racehorse. Sandy Hawley spotted Dad and came right over to our table and sat down to chat. Dad was SO pleased. It was a good day.

Dad also enjoyed spending time with our growing family with all his children and their partners, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He remembered every birthday and always sent cards. He also sent cards to those in the family who had Irish names on St. Patrick’s Day.

Children/Partners: Susan (Ian), Kathryn (Ken), Michael (Morgan), Paul (Cathy), David (the moms Kimberly and Cynthia), Peter (Julie), Mary (Michael), and Jacqueline (Peter)
Grandchildren: Alexander, Sebastian, Patricia, Philip, Kailyn, Stephanie, Peter, Patrick, Andrea, Simon, Lily, Andrew, Celia, Daniel, Joe, Elliot, Mike, Kyle and William.
Great-Grandchildren: Sasha, Bella, Dallas, Owen, Daniel, Ollie, Bernie, Saoirse and Huck.
And of course, Super Canary!

Goodbye, Dad! We love you and know you are now in the arms of your loving Pat and when Mickey joins you, there will be room for all.

Note : In lieu of flowers and in light of the current situation where many people are experiencing food insecurity, we would request donations to your local food bank. We will organise a memorial service once Covid restrictions end. Thank you.

Jackie Selby (Grimbly)

Guestbook 

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Susan Grimbly (Daughter)

Entered January 18, 2021 from Toronto

Owen P. Grimbly was one in a million.

Bev Selby (Jackie's mother-in-law and long-time friend)

Entered January 18, 2021 from Toronto

I first met Owen in the early '60s when he was a director of the Scarboro Bridge Club. Got to know and appreciate him after Peter and Jackie were married. It was always a pleasure to visit with him. Rest in peace, enjoy some heavenly bridge games.

Michael Grimbly (Son)

Entered January 18, 2021 from Halifax

Great dad. All my life I have tried to achieve the high standard of goodness and caring that he set by his own example. (Failed.) And what a storyteller! He taught me the 3 tricks to telling a great story: embellish, embellish, embellish. He married an angel (hearts, smiles), had a hockey sock full of kids, was the Lord of Glen Manor, caught fish with his bare hands (I saw it), shot a 69 at Cedarbrae, played goal before helmets were "a thing" (stitches), introduced alligators to Canada. He had a Lucky Lady, spent many later years with another Lucky Lady, loved all his kids, even me (Prodigal). Sure will miss him (a few tears).

Kimberly Mistysyn (Mother to two of Owen's grandkids)

Entered January 18, 2021 from Toronto

My wife and I had the opportunity to get to know Owen over the years as moms to two of his grandchildren. Despite our unusual family structure, Owen was supportive and enjoyed being included in the kids' early birthday parties and their christening ceremonies. At Christmas, in his younger years, he always dropped off a selection of special fruit ice creams from east-end St. Clair Ice Cream and for many years it was a tradition. He was a lovely man who was proud of his family. Our condolences and thoughts are with the entire family.

Lisa Selby (Friend of the family)

Entered January 18, 2021 from Scarborough

Owen's presence was larger than life to me, always smiling or making a joke. He was a very positive energy in this world and I'm honoured to have known him.
Much love to all of you xo

Photos 

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