A Gentle Man of Quiet Grace
The Centre community was deeply saddened to hear of the death at the end of January of our dear friend and colleague, Chris Grauer. Chris lived, worked and played at Naramata Centre for over 50 years. He encountered generations of people who remember Chris as a humourous, humble and generous person. He encouraged people to engage and enjoy the community at Naramata Centre. He spread his wings beyond the Centre and modelled a life of service as a volunteer with many organizations in Penticton, Summerland and Oliver.
After completing high school in Vancouver, Chris attended UBC, but found it to be a lonely place. During the summer while working at a United Church camp, a lifeguard told him about Naramata Centre. He enrolled in Winter Session in 1968, felt a real connection to this sacred place and, as circumstances would have it, didn’t leave for over fifty years. Following Winter Session, Ivan Cumming, Executive Director at the Centre at the time, offered Chris a job. He worked on the grounds, did maintenance, and was trained in the kitchen by Mary Haughian. “In those days you did everything,“ Chris explains. After a number of years serving in various positions, Chris became the “head honcho” in charge of the kitchen, where he worked as head cook until 1994. Even after leaving this position, he often helped on site and could be found back in the kitchen washing dishes. If you were a regular at the Centre, you will probably remember Chris from this time.
When Chris gave up paid employment at the Centre, he subsequently became a very dedicated volunteer in Penticton, Summerland, Oliver and Naramata. He worked as a volunteer baker at the Seniors Retirement Centre in Penticton for 10 years until new ownership made that position unnecessary but giving was just the only way Chris knew how to be. He volunteered at Penticton Community Soupateria, a volunteer based charitable organization that feeds people in need. Chris held a wide variety of jobs there from cooking soup, doing the purchasing for the organization and also cooking the turkeys for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the Soupateria. He was also a regular volunteer with the Okanagan Gleaners.
When not cooking, Chris volunteered at Critteraid, an animal sanctuary in Summerland, a place that became a treasured home and family for him, in particular, over the last number of years. His time with Critteraid was time that he treasured. He had a special affection for animals and with that trait, it was easy to see how he became such a part of their family for 15 years. He loved wholeheartedly and genuinely wanted to make life easier for any and all around him. His humour was unsurpassed and his sharp wit was always in play. You knew with that twinkle in his eye and little smile that something was coming and it was going to be funny. He kept everyone on their toes and brought light into the sanctuary in moments when it was needed most. He was always there to lend a hand or to offer assistance.
In 2011, Chris was presented with the BC Community Achievement award by the Lieutenant Governor and Deputy Premier in Victoria. Chris says that life started again when he became a volunteer.
While never one to take centre stage, Chris could always be relied on to do the work that was needed and to do what he could to ensure everyone, two legged or four legged, were cared for and fed.
Chris had been a long-term supporter of First United in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His first exposure to this important work came when he was in Winter Session at the Centre and they all went down and worked for a few days at First United helping serve people.
Chris was often heard saying, “It feels so good to help others. It is one of the secrets of life in a world where so many people need help. It has been a wonderful blessing to have lived and worked at Naramata Centre and to be involved at Critteraid and Soupateria. This is a beautiful community and I love it here.”
Chris will be remembered by his nieces and family in Vancouver and by the host of people whose lives he touched in this Okanagan community. Whether it was with a smile as he poured someone soup for lunch, cuddling with a kitten or chatting out back of Columbia Hall kitchen at the Centre, Chris made a difference in the lives of countless people and we will miss his smiling face and good humour.
There will be a gathering to remember and celebrate Chris this spring and we will keep you advised. Rest well Chris, a gentle man of quiet grace.