Grant R. McKenzie

Licensed as a funeral director in 1968, I purchased the firm from my father in 1984 and continue the founders' commitment to excellent service and support of the Sarnia community.

A Sarnia resident for most of my life, I am married to Cheryl and have three children and two grand-daughters. I was a founding member of the Sarnia Lambton Palliative Care Association and St. Joseph's Palliative Care Team. A founding board member of the St. Joseph's Hospice Resource Centre, I am committed to the construction of the St. Joseph's Hospice and Resource Centre in Sarnia.

Among my colleagues in funeral service in Canada, I am known as Mr. Purple Light for initiating and successfully completing a national campaign to make funeral processions safer by having escort vehicles identified with purple lights.

I believe in providing ample opportunity for our staff to participate in continuing education so they may be of maximum assistance to the bereaved. To set an example for our staff, I was the second Canadian Funeral Director to achieve the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner designation, a programme of voluntary continuing education. In 2007 I was recognized for 25 years participation in this programme.

My leadership has provided the enhanced services our firm offers to the bereaved in our community.

I am a generous supporter of the arts in the community and enjoy attending a variety of musical and theatrical productions.

In October of 2005, our then General Manager Katherine Scimmi became a co-owner and President of the firm. The partnership will ensure the continued values and service excellence that the funeral home has consistently provided to this community for the past sixty two years will continue into the future.