“The Lord has called me!”

Bathurst - Frank Grebenc of Bathurst, passed away Saturday August 14, 2021, at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, Bathurst at the age of 90.

Since my birth to Frank and Julia Grebenc in Windsor, ON, the Lord has been good to me. He began by giving me the opportunity of a good education at Queen’s University and followed up by matching me with a wonderful, holy woman, Inez Kelly, and together we were blessed with a family of six wonderful children: Bernard "Buzz" (Debbie), Joanne (Bruce), Katherine “Kathy”, Brian (Krista), Kelly (Jerry) and David (Jane), who, to this day, still loved each other and support one another. Then, we were blessed with eight grandchildren and two step granddaughters. After God called Inez to be with Him, He blessed me with another wonderful, God loving woman, Sandra Scott! Now, he continues His blessings with great-grandchildren, six so far.

As if that was not enough, my mining engineering career was very satisfying. After stints in the mines of Sudbury and Elliot Lake Ontario, I hired on with Brunswick Mining Ltd. (which was then not yet in production). I began by planning and directing the development of the huge ore body and later directed the production activities as Mine Superintendent. As production met changing ore deposition, I lead the development of a uniquely selective and highly productive mining system that attracted wide attentions in the underground mining community. Then, when the full extent of the ore body became known, we planned the doubling of the production rate to 10,000 tons per day to become the largest zinc producer in Canada and was accomplished on budget and on time, at a time of high inflation period!

In the last twelve years of my career, I managed five of the seven mines owned by Noranda Inc. at that time. I am proud that I was able to make each mine property more profitable by reducing costs and improving worker safety significantly, all without laying off anyone.

In the time since my retirement from mining, I turned by attention to get closer to God by becoming much more involved in church activities and studying the Bible. As a result, I became more at peace and ever thankful for all the blessings I have been showered with.

Besides my immediate family, I am survived by my brother, Louis (Virginia) of Mississauga, ON and two nephews, Steven (Nadia) and Michael (Lisa). I was predeceased by my sister, Mary Ann and an infant sister, Frances.  

The family would like to thank the Extra Mural Program and many doctors who cared for Frank over the years.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday August 17, 2021, at 2 p.m. from Saint George’s Anglican Church, Bathurst. Due to family allergies, please no flowers and donations in memory of Frank may be made to a health charity of the donors choice.