Obituary of Noel Grange

Noel Grange, born December 25 in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, only child of Meta (Hollinger) and Hugh Grange.

Noel died at age 88 on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener. He will be deeply missed by Margaret, his wife of 61 years, and the “Big Grange Fam”: Sons Jeffrey (Patti) and Michael (Faeron) and six grandchildren - Justin, Matthew, Harrison, Aidan, Avery and Ellis.

Noel trained as a Mechanical Engineer at Belfast Technical Institute, Northern Ireland. His long career began at a power station in Larne, Co. Antrim and later at Sirocco Works in Belfast.

In 1961, he met Margaret (nee Scott) on an overnight ferry crossing the Irish Sea between Belfast and Heysham, England. After making a positive initial impression, Noel later made good marks with his letter writing, and they were married in 1963. After their wedding they moved to Bangor, Co. Down where their first son Jeffrey was born in 1964.

Noel and Margaret emigrated to Canada in the fall of 1965 on The Empress of Canada, the crossing taking just over a week. When they first touched land on October 5^th, it was snowing. They were met at the Port of Montreal by Noel’s childhood friend Jim Blair, and their Canadian adventure began. Noel began his working life in Canada with Ingersoll Rand in Sherbrooke, Quebec.  A year later, he was offered a position at Pratt Whitney in Longueil, Quebec.  The family moved to Montreal, South Shore in November 1966 where Michael was born in January 1967. 

Noel worked in the Montreal area for the next 10 years. He moved from Pratt Whitney to work at Dominion Bridge and then as a consultant engineer with SNC Lavalin.  In 1976, the company transferred Noel to Toronto to work at Atomic Energy for one year. 

The family was sad to leave Quebec - which they continue to love.  In 1985, Noel was invited to join a team of engineers involved with the construction of frigates for the Canadian Navy at St. John’s Shipbuilding in N.B. and later transferred to Halifax Shipyard for the construction of mine sweepers.  Noel retired in 2000 and he and Margaret moved back to Ontario, buying a home in Waterloo.  

Throughout their marriage Noel and Margaret led an active life - they were enthusiastic tennis players, and loved travel, music, theatre and participated in many choirs. Noel was an avid badminton player and in particular loved organ music, reading the newspaper and discussing current events.  As a young man, Noel was also a long-distance cyclist - touring Ireland and Scotland with good friends.  Noel and Margaret formed many enduring friendships from the various communities in which they lived.

Noel was a devoted husband and father, and his quiet integrity and sense of responsibility in all areas of his life was a positive role model for his sons and grandchildren.  Noel was unflinching in the face of several medical challenges over the years. He was economical with his words but possessed a dry wit and could tell a good story. 

The family wishes to thank the ER staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, particularly Christina, for their care.  

Cremation has taken place. Friends and relatives are invited to a Celebration of Life at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Sunday, July 7, 2024. Guests may stop by between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation or to Grand River Hospital Foundation and can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com.