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Grant Moffatt’s zeal for the Cougars came through in every column

Grant Moffatt, best known in the Empire-Advance for his regular hockey column featuring the Southwest Cougars AAA U18 team, has passed away. On Aug. 31, Moffatt died at his home on the family farm near Carroll, Man.

Grant Moffatt, best known in the Empire-Advance for his regular hockey column featuring the Southwest Cougars AAA U18 team, has passed away. On Aug. 31, Moffatt died at his home on the family farm near Carroll, Man. leaving Connie, his wife of 48 years.

As long as I have been with the Empire-Advance, at least a decade, Moffatt kept readers up-to-date with play details on who scored and who helped out and how the goalie stood up. In hockey season he regularly sent in a commentary on the team’s progress. Something of the detail he provided (and he didn't purport to be a sports writer) kept me interested in the Cougars, even though I didn't go to games much.

He served on the Cougars’ board and became president of the club in 1996. Moffatt helped the team in the most practical of ways which included fundraising and duties such as laundering the jerseys and moving the nets between periods for the ice scarper and, of course, getting the game results to local media.

This quote from the Southwest Cougars Face Book says a lot about Moffatt’s place in the heart of amateur hockey: “With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that our long-time leader and president Grant Moffatt has passed away. Grant has touched the lives of so many, he will be greatly missed.”

And another:“Grant was the backbone of the Cougars organization and a key contributor to the league.”

Over the years, Moffatt also worked with other teams and served as president of the Southwest Hockey League. He received several awards for his volunteerism and was at one time a director with Manitoba Hockey.

Grant Moffatt played baseball as well and was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 as a player with the Souris Juvenille Cardinals who held the 1967 title of Western Canada Champions.

With a talent to promote, he was an asset to the many groups, clubs and businesses he became involved with.

In the cattle industry, Moffatt was known for his work raising and showing Maine Anjou cattle and as President of the Canadian Maine Anjou Association.  

Moffatt retired just one year ago from another job that wasn’t a job, as he put it - selling cars for The Murray Auto Centre in Brandon.

On Sept. 5, friends, neighbours and family honoured the life of Grant Moffatt in a drive-by motorcade.

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