Stanley George Sinclair Grizzle CM, O. Ont

1918 - 2016

Stanley George Sinclair Grizzle CM, O. Ont obituary, 1918-2016

Stanley George Sinclair Grizzle CM, O. Ont

1918 - 2016

BORN

1918

DIED

2016

Stanley Grizzle Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 14, 2016.
Grizzle, Stanley G., CM, O.Ont. Passed peacefully at Toronto East General Hospital on November 12, 2016, in his 98th year. A former Citizenship Court judge, railway porter, World War II veteran, political candidate and labour union activist, Stan was a dynamic force in the African Canadian civil rights community. Born in Toronto to Jamaican parents, and the oldest of seven children, Stan grew up to challenge the colour barrier that prevented Black Canadians from enjoying equal rights. At age 19 he co-founded the Young Men's Negro Association of Toronto. As a soldier in Europe, Stan challenged the then-common practice of using soldiers of colour as butlers for senior officers. As a railway porter, he helped organize workers under the banner of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, serving as the local chapter's president for 16 years. Constantly agitating for change, in 1954 he led activists to Ottawa to challenge the federal government for a more open immigration policy for Caribbean immigrants to Canada, and as a member of the Joint Labour Committee to Combat Racial Intolerance he focused on ensuring fair treatment for Blacks in employment and accommodation. He also served as the Toronto Chair of the Martin Luther King Fund on projects promoting change through non-violence. In 1960, Stan went to work for the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and in 1978 was appointed a Citizenship Court judge by Pierre Trudeau. Stan was the recipient of many honours, including the Order of Ontario in 1990, and the Order of Canada in 1995. In the 1990s, he was inducted into the Labour Hall of Fame, and was the recipient of the Harry Jerome Award. In 2007, the City of Toronto named Stanley G. Grizzle Park in his honour, at Main and Danforth in Toronto, and in 2013 he was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Ontario Government. He leaves behind six children, Patricia, Nerene, Pamela, Stanley, Latanya, and Sonya, and foster son Ricky Hurst, 14 Grandchildren and many Great Grandchildren. A private family service was held. A celebration of his life and legacy will be announced at a later date.

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February 2, 2025

Carson Loveless posted to the memorial.

February 14, 2018

Jahmila Martin posted to the memorial.

August 2, 2017

Joan Dove posted to the memorial.

38 Entries

Carson Loveless

February 2, 2025

Condolences to his family

Jahmila Martin

February 14, 2018

I met you as a child in elementary school. I was so honoured and in awe. I was so proud of the fact that I had met someone so wonderful. Years to follow I wrote many papers on you and your contributions.


It breaks my heart to know one my of heroes is gone and I am two years late.


I know you are resting peacefully.

Thank you for everything you did.

Hotel Manager and Grand Neice Joan Dove with Stanley at El Greco Resort, Montego Bay Jamaica,

Joan Dove

August 2, 2017

Joan Dove

May 12, 2017

This is my grand uncle from my mother's side of the family. My mom was Francella Grizzle. Grand Uncle stayed with me three months per year in Jamaica where he would come every year to escape the cold weather. He stayed at the hotel I was managing for two consecutive years and one year after that I moved on to another property however he had become a member of the El Greco Resort Family and loved by the staff, so he remained a faithful guest there until no longer able to make the trip.
May his soul rest in peace. I have his book that he gave me " My name is not George." that depicts a part of his life. Dr. Joan Dove

Patrice Gayle

February 3, 2017

Mr. Grizzle rest in peace, I will surely miss you, I never meet you in person, but talking to you over the phone so many times, was an honor, my nephews Damion and Jahmarley Grizzle will missed you. Mr. Grizzle you were educator and historian, you educated me about Canada and told me so many history about yourself and your family, and Canada. I always remember that story about you dad being a cab driver at Front street, and what happen to him when he fell asleep.

Mayor David Miller and Judge Stanley Grizzle at Park unveiling.

Kathy Grant

December 4, 2016

Sam Lewis

November 29, 2016

Another of our heroes has gone home. His contribution, like that of so many others who have gone before him, must stand out as a beacon to our youth. Great things can be achieved by committed people. Rest in eternal peace, Sir.

Henry Gomez

November 28, 2016

May you RIP, Stan. Condolences and continued blessings to family members.

Steven Milton

November 28, 2016

Kathy and the organization she pilots ensured members of the Black community, and most importantly, military members of the Black community, got to know this man. His life journey is one that can be emulated and taught to all the youth of today.

Nadine Williams

November 28, 2016

That fire in your eyes and yes even your roar too! You will be greatly missed, Justice Grizzle, sleep well, that is until it is time to roll thunder down to earth from heaven!

Dorothy Abbott

November 28, 2016

Condolences to the family and friends of Stanley Grizzle on behalf of the Ontario Black History Society. The OBHS very much appreciated his staunch support over the years. Many memories created and shared over the years.

Liz Philbert

November 28, 2016

I was privileged to have you in my life as a community mentor. Thanks for your guidance, respect and just being a great human being. RIP - You will always be remembered

Valarie Steele

November 27, 2016

Thanks for all that you have done on behalf of the African Canadian community. Your footprints are all over Canada, RIP and Walk Good.
Valarie Steele

Janice Webster

November 26, 2016

My deepest condolences to Stanley's family. I discovered Mr. Grizzle while doing research on blackface shows in Toronto in the 1960s (for York U.). There were letters from Mr. Grizzle challenging & demanding these groups stop the blackface shows. He was part of this successful movement. From there we forged a relationship that lasted right through my tenure at Urban Alliance on Race Relations to 2000. He made so many Black lives better and I am a better person for knowing him. Thank you Mr. Grizzle.

Winston Harding

November 24, 2016

My meeting Stan Grizzle was very inspirational. He was a man of innermost strength and fortitude. A gentle soul with discerning spirit to stand for his belief. In communicating with him, it was a joy to bother him about his book "My Name Is Not George."
Stan lived a life of purpose, driven by love and respect. May his legacy be study in the schools of this nation. May his memory be always fresh in the lives of family and friends. Stan left a void, like Dudley Laws, Hairy Gairey, Donald Moore. Stan, rest in peace and share your joy with the others. You have earned your blessing!

November 24, 2016

Stan was one individual who gave so much to his community, to Canada and to friends. Whatever he put his mind to doing he did well and to the best of his ability. He had a wry sense of humour and such a sunny disposition. Will miss him.

Maxine C. Bailey

November 24, 2016

My best welcome to Canada was when I met Judge Grizzle for my Citizenship interview, three years after my arrival here (1980). He gave me a warm welcome and he remained a dear friend over the years. My condolences to his family - he will be missed.

Stanley Valitchka

November 23, 2016

He was my namesake, inspiration, and tutor in backyard maintenance. We used to sit in his backyard and tend to his garden for hours because that's who he was. A diligent, caring man and my godfather. I will always love you.

Becky Albino

November 23, 2016

I have the privileged of knowing the wonderful Mr. Stan Grizzle at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He was so loving, helpful, funny and a gentleman. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Stan.

Ismay Murray

November 20, 2016

Judge Stanley Grizzle has been a part of the Murray/Grizzle family for a long
time. His first visit Jamaica was with my family.He always told his friends he was from Browns Town.
My sincere condolence to Norene and the other members of the Grizzle family.Rest in Peace.
Murray Family.(Devon and Ismay Murray)

November 20, 2016

My sincere condolences to the Grizzle family. We were neighbors back on Chisholm Ave.. Have many happy memories.
Bob Hinton and family

November 19, 2016

My husband and I were sorry to hear about Stan. We used to have a cottage on silver lake when he did. We would go down and visit him. He was a wonderful person. Russ and Mary Anne Kearns.

kingsley Gilliam

November 19, 2016

Judge Stanley G. Grizzle Was a stalwart, Warrior, for human Rights and Justice for all, especially the Black people of Canada.
As a young activist and community leader I learnt an awful lot theough his counsel and mentoring.
Stan was a mentor to all who sought or were exposed to his sage advice in almost every forum in which and racism and human rights principles were discussed.
At the annual conventions of the now defunct ,National Black Coalition of Canada, which represented all Black People in Canada, Stan Grizzle, J Edward Clarke and Dudley Laws were some of the sage voices that everyone payed attention to.
As a very young man Acclaimed as National vice Chairman of that venerable organization, I had a steep learning curve and relied very heavily on the advice, mentoring and guidance of people like Stan Grizzle.
His contributions and role modeling for all Black people was enormous.
He will be missed.
Rest in Peace Judge Stanley Grizzle

Paula Copeland

November 19, 2016

A wonderful neighbour.

Rosemary Brown and Judge Stanley Grizzle...

Kathy Grant

November 19, 2016

Yesterday was your birthday and one week ago today, you passed away. I remember you meeting Rosemary Brown when she came to Toronto. You have joined her now. Thank you for taking the time to record our history.

November 19, 2016

My deepest condolences to the Grizzle family on the physical departure of your patriarch. He has earned, through a long, productive, and contributive life a good rest. Though you will miss him, I suspect you must also be proud of his life of meaningful and influential accomplishments. May your healing from this rupture be smooth and swift.

I first met the man I grew to call Elder Stanley when I was a child via an introduction by my grandparents at a BME church function. His name and his efforts to combat racism were recounted at our family gatherings on a regular basis. My grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. Mercury, made sure I knew who our real heroes and sheroes were.When I finally met him again as an adult, I was thrilled.

Over the decades, we often ran into each other at community functions and sometimes school or association events when both or one of us had been asked to make a presentation. He was always down-to-earth yet encouraging and generously allowed me to pick his big brain for facts about our community's challenges and triumphs of the past, while we shared ideas about our present and future.

I will miss Elder Stanley's physical presence in this life, but I know the Ancestors who preceded him have welcomed him with open arms, and his working on our behalf will continue, in spirit form, on the other side of the veil.

Tiki Mercury-Clarke

Art Kirkwood

November 18, 2016

Rest in peace Stan. Our times together listening to your outstanding jazz collection and your viewpoints on life was and will be always remembered and cherished.

Michael Seaward

November 18, 2016

R.I.P.Comrade.

Reid Caesar

November 18, 2016

Stanley Grizzle and Family
Sorry for your loss your father was an incredible man . A Life well spent may time heal and memories ease the pain.

Winston Dayal

November 18, 2016

Deepest condolences in the loss of this great icon . In 1980 I received my Canadian Citezenship from him . I saw him a few times at Nathaniel Dett Chorale 's Concerts. I would always let him know he was my CC presiding judge .

Maureen Hynes

November 18, 2016

Rest in peace, Stanley Grizzle. You achieved so much and were and exemplar to us all. Thank you for your work in the union movement, in the law, in education.

MAGDALENE WILLIAMS

November 18, 2016

THANK YOU, MR. STANLEY G. GRIZZLE

YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK, WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
CONDOLENCE FOR ALL YOUR FAMILY.

WILLIAMS FAMILY
OTTAWA, ONT.

FOR BETTERMENT WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON IN YOUR MEMORY OVER THE WORLD

Wayne

November 18, 2016

Thank you for your service to our country such a long time ago and your continued fight against racism throughout your lifetime.

Patrick Case

November 17, 2016

His was a life well spent. A pioneer whose life and work could be looked up to. To Stanley's family, I'm sorry for your loss. To our communities Stanley, thank you.

John Cooper

November 17, 2016

My sincere condolences to Stan's family. It was an honour and a pleasure to work with Stan on his autobiography, My Name's Not George. He was a determined fighter for civil rights in so many areas, and his dynamism and energy will be sorely missed.

Amber Grant, Judge Grizzle and CWO Kevin Junor

Kathy Grant

November 16, 2016

It is with a heavy heart that I heard the news of Judge Grizzle's passing on November 12th. On November 11th, I had a display at The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa and one of the posters contained Stanley and the other his friend and fellow WWII veteran Lester Brown. Both were porters.

Last month I visited Stan at his retirement home and asked what he wanted to share as with the world...his comment was that he was "alive". I recorded it.

In February 2013, I accompanied Stan to accept his Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal at Queen Park. Later that year I introduced Stan to the Crestwood school and through history teacher Scott Masters, had his student interview him.

He would have turned 98 on November 18th. I shall be posting pictures and video tributes on the Black Canadian Veterans Stories of War FB page.

Rest in Peace Brave soldier..

Kathy Grant
President of The Legacy Voices Project

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Sign Stanley Grizzle's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 2, 2025

Carson Loveless posted to the memorial.

February 14, 2018

Jahmila Martin posted to the memorial.

August 2, 2017

Joan Dove posted to the memorial.