Grayson Benjamin McKenna

Grayson Benjamin McKenna passed away suddenly in Windsor, Ontario on September 19, 2022. He was born in Hinton, Alberta on September 19, 1998.  A kind and gentle soul, Grayson leaves behind his parents, Janice Wiens McKenna, David McKenna and bonus-mom Stephenie Robinson-Chabot, his sister and brother-in-law Katlyn and Stefan Danylo, grandparents Abram and Faye Wiens, Ellen Lynn Wiens and Don Thomson, and Catherine McKenna as well as Uncle Steven (Auntie Shammy) Wiens and cousins Brennan and Ashton, and Aunt Nicola McKenna (Steve New) and cousins Jodeen, Louis, Brandon and Jaden. He is also greatly missed by his best friend and wingman Peter Axmann, as well as many special aunties and uncles, friends and extended family.

Grayson’s formative years were spent in Grande Cache, Alberta. He attended SonRise Christian program from e-i through grade 3, then Summitview Middle School from grades 4 - 6. Grayson loved growing up in a small mountain town. While in Grande Cache, Grayson developed a deep appreciation for community, nature and Indigenous culture. He enjoyed trying many different interests and loved baseball and being a part of the Grande Cache Otters swim team. Grande Cache gave Grayson a carefree boyhood - riding his bike and scooter, playing mantracker in the bush with his sister and friends, camping and skiing with his family, and sharing a love of backpacking and dirtbiking with his dad.

In 2010, Grayson moved with his family to Edson, Alberta. He first attended Pine Grove Middle School where he met Pete with whom he shared a keen interest in video games and later, cars. From the beginning of his public schooling, Grayson loved learning, disliked book-work, and excelled in social studies and performing arts. Grayson started working part-time jobs at age fourteen and took pride in his work ethic. He enjoyed being a mentor to his friend, Steven. He graduated from Parkland Composite High School in 2016 receiving his diploma from his mom, a teacher.

Upon leaving high school, Grayson often worked two jobs at a time or worked overtime to provide for himself. In 2018, he moved to Calgary and was happy to be near Katlyn. While there, he worked alongside Stefan who introduced him to flat-roofing. In 2019, Grayson pursued post-secondary. Grayson attended the University of Calgary and North Island College. In the spring of 2022, he was excited to announce that he had been accepted to a B.A.(hon) program at the University of Windsor. He spent the summer working a camp job in Fort Mac and his mom cherished the times Grayson asked her to drive him to the airport. On his days off, Grayson spent as much quality time as he could with his dad and looked forward to quadding. He enjoyed hanging out and quiet moments in the sunroom with Stephenie. However, the highlight of his summer was being a groomsman in his sister’s wedding. It brought Grayson great joy to see them so happy. He enjoyed spending that weekend celebrating them with Pete, family, and friends. In late-August, Grayson and his dad road-tripped and set him up in Windsor. He started his studies, switching his major from political science to philosophy, in September.

Grayson always ensured those he held close knew they were valuable and loved. He found peace in the presence of animals. He was an advocate for preserving human dignity especially for the homeless and mentally ill. It upset him when he witnessed those who did not value the human behind someone’s life circumstances. It warmed Grayson's heart to see the happiness he brought others simply by initiating conversation. He wanted to make a difference.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting your local food bank or make a donation to The Mustard Seed, Edson Animal Rescue (etransfer earsbankinginfo@gmail.com pswd - Grayson) or Grande Cache Animal Rescue gcanimalsociety@gmail.com.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cornerstone Mountain Assembly Church in Grande Cache  on October 15, 2022 at 12:00 PM with inurnment to follow.

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