Kaija and family, my condolences.

My condolences to the Grasis family. I had the pleasure of teaching and coaching Kaji and Kalen at KLCVI and extend my prayers to family and friends for the loss of Juris.

I had the privilege of knowing and working with Juris for over 13 years. He supported people with the utmost compassion and dignity. He led by example. Juris always found such meaningful lessons in difficult situations. I will miss his wisdom. A philosopher once said that if one life breathes easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. Many, many lives breathed easier because Juris lived. My thoughts and prayers are with Juris’ family. The human heart endures as it saves and cherishes all that it has loved.

Eleanor – so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Every Wednesday at 3 I saw Juris for a couple of hours. I would wait for him to come down the hall and I felt joy the moment I saw him coming to greet me. We would sit, him treating me to coffee, and we’d talk. We talked about so many things over many years. He was a very wise man. He understood me and accepted me as I am. When I had a crisis and I had to move into a new apartment with no money for furnishings, Juris gave me a brand new, top brand, wok. Over the years, I had little money for clothes and my size was always changing. Half of my wardrobe came from him. He was so generous and charitable. He and I shared moments that I will treasure. I still have his voice in my head. I loved the idioms he’d use: “How’s that for a commercial?” and “All things being equal…” and “How are you treating life today?” When I was very sick he said to me, “I want you to take care of your health, you are a great guy, and I want you to be around for a long time.” Juris, next time the roll up the rim comes around, I’m buying this time, and as always, anything more than a coffee and we split it You were a brother, a father, a mentor, a friend, you were the only one who’d actually sit and explore the dark matter of the universe with me. I know that though I grieve intensely right now, you’d tell me to remember our times and value them for what they were. I know you taught me to learn a lesson from the life of others who had passed. Searching for just a single one to learn from you is impossible. There are so many things you taught me. I smile as I think of the Meatloaf song which we once discussed and I hear your voice say, “Two out of three ain’t bad.”

We did not see each other often in recent years but we will miss those very philosophical discussions that we always ended up in whenever we had time to talk. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eleanor,Kaija, Kalen and other family friends in this time of loss. Rob & Joy Galloway

Eleanor and girls… so sorry to hear about your loss. We did not know that Juris had been sick. Juris was a great human being. We will miss his unique sense of humour and his love of life!

Laima, Valdis and the entire Grasis Family Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Juris. Though it had been many years since our families were neighbours, your family has always had a special place in our hearts.

Eleanor, I only just heard today of Juris’s passing and I am so very sorry and extend my condolences to you and your daughter. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by since our first meeting at the Teck Hotel. Throughout the years Juris’s was always able to put a smile on one’s face no matter how grave the situation and I am grateful for that. I know he will be missed by so many. I am just very sorry that I did not hear of his passing and hence unable to attend the funeral home. Please feel free to call me at anytime. 567-3662. Anne

I had the privilege to exchange thoughts with this great man for a short period of time. With is help I now I’m able to face my crisis. In his memory I have written a poem which I was not able to read to him, I have decided to share it with all his family and friends Friend for Life Shatter by personal issues Totally confused and emotional I sat trembling in waiting To a stranger I would speak Completely devastated Unable to speak He sat and listen To a grown man weep Calmly and soft spoken Comforting words where uttered As he listen to my sadness Judgement he did no past For hours he leisurely sat Commenting on the words I spoke Offering advice and suggestion On the situation at hand As I left the first reunion With a stranger I trusted I was reassured but frail But further session would be required To this day we still exchange ideas On occasion we meet He listen to my grief And encouragement he delivers For as long I live I will never forget From a stranger The new direction he gave Alain Fournier

While painting at a friend’s home, a carpenter that I’ll call Ken (not his real name) was working on the flooring. Ken was very talented at any number of jobs that he was asked to do. He took great pride in doing every small job with care and attention. I asked him if he enjoyed his work. He described feeling stuck in work that was unsuited to him but becasue of his lifestyle and past troubles this kind of work found him. Out of curiosity I asked him about his lifestyle and he openly described a long history of battling mulitple addictions with the consequences of losing his family and experiencing prison time. He felt he was finally on a path of sobriety over the past year. Again out of curiosity I asked what was different now. Ken said he finally met a person that truly listened to his life experience without judgement and guided him in better understanding himself, resulting in accepting himself with forgiveness. Ken shared that this special person in his life that truly listened to him with empathy and nonjudgement was Juris Grasis. For the first time in his life he felt understood and accepted.

Every Wednesday at 3 I saw Juris for a couple of hours. I would wait for him to come down the hall and I felt joy the moment I saw him coming to greet me. We would sit, him treating me to coffee, and we’d talk. We talked about so many things over many years. He was a very wise man. He understood me and accepted me as I am. When I had a crisis and I had to move into a new apartment with no money for furnishings, Juris gave me a brand new, top brand, wok. Over the years, I had little money for clothes and my size was always changing. Half of my wardrobe came from him. He was so generous and charitable. He and I shared moments that I will treasure. I still have his voice in my head. I loved the idioms he’d use: “How’s that for a commercial?” and “All things being equal…” and “How are you treating life today?” When I was very sick he said to me, “I want you to take care of your health, you are a great guy, and I want you to be around for a long time.” Juris, next time the roll up the rim comes around, I’m buying this time, and as always, anything more than a coffee and we split it You were a brother, a father, a mentor, a friend, you were the only one who’d actually sit and explore the dark matter of the universe with me. I know that though I grieve intensely right now, you’d tell me to remember our times and value them for what they were. I know you taught me to learn a lesson from the life of others who had passed. Searching for just a single one to learn from you is impossible. There are so many things you taught me. I smile as I think of the Meatloaf song which we once discussed and I hear your voice say, “Two out of three ain’t bad.”

We did not see each other often in recent years but we will miss those very philosophical discussions that we always ended up in whenever we had time to talk. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eleanor,Kaija, Kalen and other family friends in this time of loss. Rob & Joy Galloway

Eleanor, Kaija and Kalen, We express our deep remorse to Juris’s passing. He will be missed. June and Chuck Wallsten

Dear Eleanor, Kaija and Kalen, Words cannot express the sadness I feel with the loss of a great husband, father, co-worker and friend. Juris was a kind, loyal and true friend to me. The compassion and care he showed for his clients and people in general was remarkable. My heart and prayers go out to the whole family and community during this very difficult time.

I am saddened to hear this. I return to the Kabaret after a 5 year hiatus and shared some laughs and photo moments with Juris. My deepest condolences to all those who were near and dear to Juris.

Eleanor – so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Eleanor, Kaija & Kalen we are very sorry to hear of Juris’ passing. You are in our thoughts & prayers during this difficult time. Charlene & Rick Owen.

Eleanor & family: Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss at this time. Juris will be sadly missed by many. Remember the good times and keep those memories close. Normand & Annie

Juris is missed at work. We’ll miss his cheerful smile, his friendly manner and his take on day-to-day news. Juris was our resident photographer for workplace events. We are so fortunate to have the memories of staff from years of very good photos taken by Juris. My deepest condolences to Eleanor, his daughters, and other family members.

Juris has been a long time colleague and friend. I knew he was a friend when he let me try something off his plate; a lover of food who was willing to share! He was the kind of man who treated people with thoughtfulness, and caring was both philosophical and pragmatic. I will miss his sharing of buttertarts, his photos, his brightly coloured sweaters and his laugh. I will also miss how he often laid his hand on one’s shoulder when conversing with or thanking you…which he often and generously did. A man of integrity,and compassion, with a personal touch. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to all who are feeling this loss.

My condolences to the Grasis family. I had the pleasure of teaching and coaching Kaji and Kalen at KLCVI and extend my prayers to family and friends for the loss of Juris.

I had the privilege of knowing and working with Juris for over 13 years. He supported people with the utmost compassion and dignity. He led by example. Juris always found such meaningful lessons in difficult situations. I will miss his wisdom. A philosopher once said that if one life breathes easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. Many, many lives breathed easier because Juris lived. My thoughts and prayers are with Juris’ family. The human heart endures as it saves and cherishes all that it has loved.

My very deepest sympathies to you at this very sad time. I had the opportunity of knowing Juris during my time with Kabaret and he will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

My sincere condolences on the passing of a Brother Mason and our friendly aquaintance over several years. May his family find comfort in the memories of the many happy times and events they shared together over the years. Sincerely, Terry Shand

Dear Eleanor, Kaija and Kalen We were very sad to hear the news of Juris’ sudden death, and we are deeply sorry for your loss. He was a good and generous person and we know he will be missed very much by all of you but also by many in the community in Kirkland Lake. We are thankful for having known him and for all he shared during his lifetime. May God bless. with our love, Cindy and Walt

Mes plus sincères sympathies à toi et ta famille Kaija. Je suis de tout coeur avec toi. La vie est parfois trop triste. Je pense à toi très fort. On est tous là si tu as besoin de quoi que ce soit. Jacqueline

Dear Kaija and Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. C. Randall

Kaija: I am very sorry for your loss! Sincere condoleances to you and your family! Louise Niro

Eleanor, Kaija and Kalen, Our sympathies. Juris was a truly good man, so caring and thoughtful of others. The contribution that he made to so many of our lives will not be forgotten. Our apologies for not being able to attend his service as we are out of province.

Thoughts and Prayers goes to Juris.Thank you Juris for your help.may you rest in peace my friend you are greatly missed

Our deepest condolences to the Grasis family. We were shocked to hear the news of Juris’s death. We always enjoyed our conversations with him as he passed our home on Sylvanite. We and the community will miss him.

Kaija and family, my condolences.