Obituary of Allan Thomas Grantham

Allan Thomas Grantham

May 1, 1952 - June 11, 2019

It is with great sadness we announce that Allan, age 67, passed away peacefully at the VG Hospital in Halifax, NS  on June 11, 2019. Born in Halifax, NS, he was the son of Roy and Frances (McDougall) Grantham, both deceased.

Allan’s approach to living was all-in. His intellect, drive and ability appeared early in life starting at age 20 when he led a team of 78 men in the lumber business. At 25, Allan moved into insurance planning with London Life and in his first year, set a new national rookie production record in the company’s history. At 34, he worked as a Branch Manager with Standard Life and in 18 months, took the office from last to first place in the country.

As a self-motivated and skilled entrepreneur, at age 39 he started his own business specializing in Corporate Estate Planning and won dozens of achievement awards throughout his career. He was recognized as one of Manulife Financial’s Top Advisors across the country and a Five Star Master Builder.  In 2013, he was chosen by his peers to receive the Jack Y. McFaull Memorial Award. The qualifications included balance, integrity, inspiration, determination, health and those who have made a difference in their communities locally, nationally or globally.

At 51, he started Atlas Estate Planning Services Limited and worked with the best people in the legal and accounting professions to create highly complex business strategies to best serve his clients’ needs. They will miss his straight directives, no-nonsense approach and thorough plans to benefit their businesses and families.

While Allan is best known in estate planning and insurance circles, many do not know his name; only his spontaneous acts of generosity. Allan would read stories in the local newspaper about people fundraising to help others. He would show up at their door, hand over a cheque (usually one that would end the financial stress or ensure reaching a goal) and wish them all the best.

Allan travelled to Guatemala with World Vision, Cambodia with Samaritan’s Purse; Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan with Loads of Love; Haiti with Chalice Canada and Mexico where he poured cement floors, distributed Christmas presents to orphans, helped abandoned children and forgotten seniors, donated funds to build homes and helped multiple orphanages and families, respectively. He rose over $128,000 to help fund projects in Haiti and his work can be seen at www.friendsofhaiti.net

Local foundations close to his heart include Chalice Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes   Association, the Salvation Army, The Club Inclusion, Metro Food Bank and the QEII Foundation.

Allan never forgot his humble beginnings and looked for ways to show appreciation for those less fortunate. He gave away hundreds of small gifts, like cookies and cold drinks on hot days for workers near his second home in Puerto Vallarta. His motto was, “There but for the grace of God go I”.

Allan relished challenges not only in business but also in his personal life. In his youth, he won Gold at the Canada Winter Games for Archery representing Nova Scotia; in his fifties, he ran a marathon every day for a year, just for fun and in his early sixties, bench pressed 300 pounds.  For the past 30+ years, you could find him at daybreak waiting for Dalplex to open so that he could start his day with a workout.  His home gym was second to none and was the envy of his nieces and nephews.

Allan grew up in Beaverbank, NS. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Brenda (Hennessey), who already misses his presence, friendship and guidance. He is also survived by his son Tony (Janet), brothers Wayne (Cindy), Richard (Brenda) and sisters, Joanne (Danny) Jennings, Christine (Peter) Shore and Pam (Michael Kenny) and by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. 

A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Palliative Care Unit, Continuing Home Care and the Red Cross.

A celebration of Allan’s life will be held at St. Ignatius Church, Bedford, on June 22nd, at 8:30am.  Reception will follow at Moxies in Bayers Lake, Halifax, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm following the service. Please bring a story to share. There will be no visitation prior to the service. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chalice Canada https://www.chalice.ca (902) 425-5263 or Feed Nova Scotia www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/feednovascotia/