In Memory of

Grant

Putnam

Obituary for Grant Putnam

Putnam, Grant Wilfred, age 78 – Debert. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Grant Wilfred Putnam, age 78, on May 11, 2020. After a lengthy illness, he was fortunate to spend his final weeks at his beloved country home in Debert where he had recently celebrated 56 years of marriage with his wife, Phyllis. Having returned to renovate and retire in the house where he was born and raised by Albert and Beryl Putnam, he was most at peace in his garden, blueberry fields, or walking to the river through the forest trails. He always had time for everyone and was known for his excellent stories, often flavored with colloquial sayings and colorful descriptors that ensured each story was rewarded with more laughs. He was happiest when surrounded by his family and one of his great joys was to open his home for lively gatherings with friends where he passed on his appreciation of music, food and drink to all who were in attendance.
Grant was the youngest of four siblings and while he loved to work in the woods with his father he went on to attend Mount Allison and eventually settled into a successful automotive parts business in Truro with his cousin and long-time friend, Doug Simpson. In his youth, he was an accomplished sprinter winning many 100-yard dashes. Most said it was his lighting quick start, but we all knew it was his fierce competitive spirit that won him all those races! Grant had a strong passion for sailing and although he loved the race, he enjoyed the camaraderie of his sailing mates on the Hiflite even more. He also had a great love for live music and took great pleasure in attending many concerts and festivals over the years. He and Phyllie never missed the Stanfest and often welcomed and fed the many drop-ins during the highly entertaining Putnam trailer jams.
While Grant was a hard-working man of many accomplishments, the achievements that mattered most to him came from his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend to many. He loved nothing more than to gather and enjoy good times with the people he cherished so please feel free to celebrate his life with a song, poem or a toast.
Grant is survived by his wife Phyllis (Langille); children, Kirby (Leslie) and Natalie (Danny); grandchildren, Sydney, Madeleine, Ava, Corey, Maggie, Samuel, Hannah; great-grandchildren, Kiran, Avi and Eleanor; predeceased by his son, Andrew; survived by his sister Marie (Slack); predeceased by his parents Albert and Beryl, brothers Glen and Ralph; and many cherished others.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. A celebration of Grant’s life will be held at a later date when restrictions ease. Please send your family condolences via email to www.ColchesterCommunity.com. Donations may be made to the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation, Dr. Andrew Putnam Studentship in Mental Health Research, www.dmrf.ca