Denis Michael Grady

Blackfoot names:

Sinopaa (meaning “Fox”), given by Eulalia Running Rabbit

Aspommihtaa (meaning “Helper”), given by Alvin Mills

Denis Grady entered into eternal rest with the Lord Jesus Christ on Friday January 24, 2025 at the age of 72 years.

Denis was born in Peterborough, ON. His family moved to Lindsay in 1957, where Denis learned to play hockey, served as an altar boy at St. Mary’s Parish, and caught his first fish in the Scugog River. The family moved to Oshawa in 1962 where he continued playing hockey, learned to play guitar, and began performing at high school dances.

In those teenage years, Denis had a powerful encounter with God and the Holy Spirit that changed the trajectory of his life and paved the way for his vocation. He answered God's call with his life from that moment on. His heart beat for the homeless, the handicapped, the addicted, the broken hearted, and the lost. He used his creative passion for music, faith and community, to build bridges and create belonging for all to feel part of God’s compassion and love. Later in life, he would open his home and his heart to others, creating a sanctuary for those in need, offering comfort, guidance, and love to those who needed it most.

He moved to Edmonton and eventually Calgary in the 1970s, where he found employment with L’Arche. This is where he met Joni, and married her on December 27, 1977. Their oldest daughter Sara was born in 1979 and her sister Rosie in 1982. Two years later – inspired by his father Vern’s journey – Denis entered treatment for alcoholism. In December 2024, Denis achieved 40 years of sobriety.

Denis loved working for the City of Calgary, booking live music and art events including the “Song for Calgary” National Songwriting Competition in 1987. He also recorded two albums of original gospel music: Running Too Long in 1998 and Grace in the Strangest Places in 2003.

He founded the Franciscan and Friends Mission in 2002 with the vision to bring hope to vulnerable and isolated people through a variety of creative programs. For the next 22 years, he would organize many trips to Haiti, Mexico, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Grenada, Guatemala, Belize and the Dominican Republic.

Beginning in 2017 in an effort to further the Truth and Reconciliation Act, Denis reached out to many First Nations in southern Alberta to serve the communities through organizing art and music events.

Denis was a proud grandpa to five grandsons—Isaiah, Ben, Micah, Noah, and Theo—he radiated joy and pride for all of them. His cheers echoed from the bleachers at hockey games, soccer matches, and basketball courts.

The spirit of Denis teaches us a lesson of radical acceptance – guiding us to be better, to love deeper, and to serve selflessly. As we honour him today, let us carry his spirit forward, reaching out to those in need, just as he did.

Denis was predeceased by his sister Karen in 1998 and his father Vern in 2007.

Denis is survived by his mother Pearl Grady; his brother Paul Grady (Cheryl), his brother Peter Grady (Brenda), and their children Matt and Lora. He is survived by Karen’s daughters Carolyn (Jim), and their children Grace, Leah and Hazel Allder, as well as daughter Michelle (Graham) and their children Emma and Aiden. Lastly he is survived by his daughter Sara dela Torre (Chris) and grandsons Micah, Noah and Theo, and daughter Rosie Grady and grandsons Isaiah and Ben. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church  (10827 24 St SW) on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to L'Arche Calgary. For those unable to attend in person, there will be a livestream available below.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Denis Michael Grady, please visit our floral store.