Alberta businessman, philanthropist Stan Grad remembered for ‘heart of gold’ – Calgary | 24CA News
They had been newly-weds within the late Nineteen Eighties on their technique to the Calgary Stampede, with all their belongings in tow and a dream of discovering jobs in Alberta.
Scott and Elan Lees by no means imagined the place that dusty highway would take them nor the legendary man standing on the finish of it who helped form the trajectory of their lives.
“We were two poor kids from Saskatchewan who had nothing, who came with everything in the back of a truck,” stated Elan Lees. “When we drove in the main yard, I was just in awe. in Saskatchewan there was nothing like a Soderglen.”
“The people who knew him know he had a big booming voice and he was a big man. He walked over and said: ‘Hello, I’m Stan Grad. Who are you? That’s how we met,” stated Scott Lees, with a half smile on his face.
Scott and Elan Lees would ultimately turn out to be business companions with Grad and shut mates.
The couple managed the Calgary oil and gasoline government’s sprawling Soderglen Ranch, serving to to develop it into the most important seedstock operation in Canada.
“Never did I dream we would have the opportunities that we had and it’s because of Stan Grad,” stated Elan. “He didn’t give us pressure. He was never hovering. He allowed us to do what we wanted to do.”
On July 29, Grad handed away as a consequence of problems from a lung an infection. The Lees and numerous others are mourning a larger-than-life man, with a beneficiant coronary heart who was like household.
“He was a mentor a friend and a father figure to me for 34 years,” Scott stated. “We will miss him.”
Stan Grad, seen right here in a photograph shared by his household and posted by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes.
Credit: McInnis and Holloway
While Grad had huge success within the oil and gasoline and agriculture industries, he was additionally a prolific philanthropist who supported numerous causes.
But maybe the closest to his coronary heart was STARS Air Ambulance, a company he devoted his life to supporting after dropping his personal teenage daughter in a automobile crash in 1990.
“He was never not involved in STARS,” stated John Griffiths with STARS. “He was the driving force in energy, fundraising the innovation, expansion and hiring key figures.
“He knew the people flying, he was on the board and would go to lunch with our CEO… He was instrumental. We wouldn’t be what we are today without Stan Grad.”
Grad grew up on the outskirts of Calgary. His dad and mom ran a small motel.
His laborious work and success in business, management and philanthropy has obtained a few of the highest honors, together with an Order of Excellence.
He additionally constructed a hospital in Punta Mita, Mexico, a spot he loved within the winter months.
Giving again was a lifestyle for Grad — a worth he bestowed on others.
“He taught Scott and I that it wasn’t a selection to present again however it was our accountability to present again as a result of we had been so blessed in our lives, “ stated Elan.
“He had a coronary heart of gold that was so beneficiant to anyone that knew him and he shared that with Scott and I and our daughter, who was his Goddaughter.
“And the very last thing he stated to me was: ‘I would do anything for you, Elan Lees,’” he said, pausing in reflection.
It was one last gift Grad gave to the once young couple from Saskatchewan, who have now realized three decades of great big dreams in a place their dear friend found solace.
“This farm is what grounded him that’s why he lived right here, that’s why he cherished it and it was separate from his business profession,” stated Scott.
Grad was within the technique of discovering a brand new proprietor for the 7,000-acre farm simply quarter-hour from Calgary.
It’s a finely tuned operation, due to the laborious work of 12 devoted households who’ve helped run it and known as it house some for many years.
Friends stated it was Grad’s hope Soderglen Ranch would keep that manner and stay turn-key.
“They loved him and admired him and stayed because of him and he hoped it will be the new case for the new owner to continue on,” stated Elan.
Stan Grad was 78.
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