In Memoriam-Marc Grenon

Many of us knew Marc as Chair of the Montreal Presbytery, who helped us transition to become the Quebec Presbytery and then, after a brief respite, from 2022-2024, as President of the Nakonha:ka Regional Council, also serving as a commissioner to General Council.   He was a gentle, compassionate and caring individual who appreciated and respected the rules of the church which he had chosen to make his home (raised Roman Catholic, but United Church by choice).  His leadership style showed how he cared about what was best for the church, and he listened to needs and concerns, trying to navigate the system for the best outcomes for people.  His management style made things run smoothly, and even when he deviated from standard practice, he did so in a way that avoided upsetting people. He never shied away from uncomfortable situations or difficult conversations because he cared deeply for the people involved and the ministry they were trying to preserve.

Others experienced Marc as he played a key role in supporting students in the Designated Lay Ministry Program, travelling several times a year to Winnipeg and then Saskatoon to help those studying in both English and French, and learning so much about the church structure in the process.  As the church transitioned, so did he, encouraging candidates through the new candidacy pathway processes in ministry by serving on the Board of Vocation.  Following that, he was on the Pastoral Relations Teams, and giving hours as pastoral charge supervisor and liaison for churches in transition, listening and guiding churches to find ministry and leadership that would fit their needs.

He loved the small country church and was very active with the Bedford Pastoral Charge when he served as Chair of the Board, and he was one of Rev. Dr. Phyllis Smyth’s strongest supporters in her efforts to consolidate and unite the four points in the Charge.  He helped “the congregations navigate the ins and outs of meetings etc. which helped keep them going. He also gave of his time and talent in joining them for worship every Sunday morning and in turn, they supported him through good times and bad, right up to Friday afternoon…Marc wasn’t just a member of the church, he was a member of a very tight-knit family who through Christ love one another deeply. We will miss him greatly, but we know in many ways he is still with us. His influence and service will be felt for years to come.”

Marc was diagnosed with cancer in August 2024, underwent extensive surgery involving his brain in February 2025, and rallied to enjoy the past few months.  However, he was a passenger in a car accident recently which left him with 3 broken ribs, a punctured lung and great difficulty breathing.  He felt himself “walking through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23), or more literally, sleeping through it.  The result of relying on pain medication that robbed him of any quality of life with his beloved Paul, family and friends, and Marc took the choice of M.A.I.D.  He died peacefully in his garden in Mystic “surrounded by family and friends, birds singing and bees in flowers with a light rainfall…it was beautiful.” (Rev. Cynthia Reynolds)