The founder of Sparling’s Propane passed away peacefully Wednesday morning at the Clinton Public Hospital.
Grant Sparling, described by many as a farmer's son, banker, soldier, entrepreneur, and community champion, was 91.
Grant’s started a banking career in 1941 in Forest, which was soon interrupted when he volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. His accounting skills were put to use at Base Borden from 1943 until 1946, almost a full year after the war ended.
Following the war, Grant resumed his position at the bank and in 1949, began a brief placement at the Blyth Commerce branch on his way to the main branch in Kitchener.
When he had an opportunity to buy a hardware store in Blyth in 1951, he retired from banking and opened Sparling’s Hardware.
Grant began selling propane as a convenience to customers who bought appliances at his store. In 1963, Grant opened a second location in Clinton.
Through the 1970s and 80s, Grant started a welding supply business and created Sparling’s Liquid Transport, a specialized tank carrier that expanded to serve customers in Central Canada, the U.S. Midwest and as far south as Florida and California.
Propane became the core family business and Grant’s sons, Steven and David, joined the company in the 1980s.
Over the past 25-years, Sparling’s Propane grew significantly, and had become one of the largest propane retailers in Canada when it was purchased by Parkland Fuel Corporation of Calgary in 2013.
At one time, Grant had over 150 men and women working for him at seven Sparling’s regional branches.
Along the way, Grant was active in the United Church and the Blyth Board of Trade, the Lion’s Club, and was a life member of Forest Lodge No. 263.
He served 32-years as firefighter/captain with the Blyth and District Fire Department and was a proud supporter of the Blyth Festival from day one.
Grant received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the first Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Ontario Propane Association.
Visitation at Blyth United Church is May 19th, from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm.
His funeral will be at Blyth United Church on Wednesday, May 20.