On October 5, 2020, Colin McLaren Grindlay passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family: beloved wife, Pat and their three sons Mark, Paul and Bruce.
Colin was born in Keynsham, Somerset in 1937 and attended Rutlish School prior to reading Paper Technology at Manchester University (the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology as it was then). Having completed his bachelor’s degree, Colin undertook a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. As a bon viveur, a keen Rugby player and President of the UMIST Athletic Union, Colin certainly made the most of his student life.
It was at university that Colin met the love of his life and future wife, Pat who was one of the few women studying Industrial Chemistry at UMIST. Colin’s romantic nature, the sight of his knees when wearing his kilt and dogged determination won Pat over and they were married in 1962.
An accomplished engineer, Colin had a long and distinguished career. He became a recognised expert in the use of secondary fibres and recycling in the paper industry, working for Black Clawson and then with the Dickinson Robinson Group. During this time, he travelled the world with his work and became known for his eye for detail, creativity and ingenuity in his designs.
In 1981, Colin was brought over to H.A. Simons in Vancouver as the Canadian paper industry began to realise that recycling would be a vital aspect of its future sustainability and his expertise was needed. The family relocated to Vancouver and Colin later moved on to work with NLK.
Family was at the heart of Colin’s life. He and Pat had three sons, Paul, Mark and Bruce, and he was a loving ‘Papa’, or grandpa, to six grandchildren. The extended family spent many happy summer holidays in the South of France. On French summer evenings, a glass of fine red in his hand, Colin would regale a rapt audience of grandchildren with often outrageous tales of his business travels.
Colin retired in 2000 and enjoyed reading, cooking, crosswords and keeping in regular touch with his extended family. His latest chutney and pickled products were awaited with bated breath and he and Pat’s annual raspberry vinegar delivery became red letter days for the family. Despite worsening physical health towards the end of his life, Colin always remained sharp of mind, intellectually curious and interested in the world around him. He will be fondly remembered and forever loved by Pat, his sons and their wives, his grandchildren and many friends and colleagues. As he said at the end: “au revoir, my loves, we have had some great times…”