It is with deep sorrow that we share news of the death of Andrew James Gracie on Monday, April 14, 2025 (aged 86), at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Andrew was born 14 May 1938 to Alan and Isobel Gracie in Johor Bharu, Malaysia, the second of three children. Early in World War II, the family sojourned in New Zealand before journeying to Scotland where he grew up principally in Edinburgh. Andrew attended Edinburgh Academy, nurturing life-long friendships and a deep love of the hills and glens of his homeland during walking and climbing expeditions with the Ben Doran Society. His love of those rocky hills drew him to study geology, first at the University of Edinburgh and later at the University of Reading. Ever after, he bore a special fondness for Coigach, the region of northwest Scotland that was the focus of his doctoral work. He joined the Saskatchewan Geological Survey in 1964, serving as Resident Geologist in La Ronge, SK, until his retirement in 2003. He continued working as a consultant until 2022. He was a long-time member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).

Gillian (nee Brown) joined him in Canada in 1964. During the time of their marriage two sons were welcomed, in whom Andrew had immeasurable pride and enjoyment.

Andrew was a founding member and long-time Elder of the Lac La Ronge Lutheran Fellowship, served as a scout leader (earning the title ‘Bagheera’), taught prospecting via Northlands College, and enthusiastically participated in the annual Core Days event that showcased mineral exploration in northern Saskatchewan. He prized an active lifestyle, determinedly going to the gym twice a week until early in 2025. His love of literature and learning was expressed in devoted reading and spontaneous outbursts of poetry. He was known, respected, and loved with immeasurable depth by his family and by an expansive community, more than ever he knew.

Andrew was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023, remaining in his home until 2025 due to the faithful and generous service of La Ronge Home Care, La Ronge Emergency Medical Services, and the truest expression of service from a loving faith community far beyond what two grateful sons imagined possible. To ensure continued access to the level of care the disease demanded, a collaborative conversation with Andrew led to a move to Diamond House Personal Care Home in Warman, SK, in March 2025.

Andrew is survived by his sons Ian and Ken Gracie, his brother and sister-in-law David and Moira Gracie and their families, as well as his sister and brother-in-law Isobel and Nigel Carter and their family.

Funeral services will be held at the Lac La Ronge Lutheran Fellowship (920 Boardman Street, La Ronge, SK) on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM. A complimentary lunch will be provided. The family wishes to thank the Lac La Ronge Funeral Home and Beau“Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium (Prince Albert) for their kind assistance with arrangements.

Those wishing to offer a gift in Andrew’s honor may contribute to the La Ronge & Area Long Term Care Fundraising campaign (fundraising.ltc@gmail.com, 306-714-0033, www.larongeltc.ca).

Friends and family wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Lac La Ronge Funeral Home, (306) 425-3666, Debra Klassen, Funeral Director, and Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK, 306-763-3322.

• Date : 2025-04-14
• Location : Saskatoon, SK