Sudbury residents gathered at the Fraser auditorium Feb. 25 to honour the life of the late James Grassby.
Grassby died Jan. 8, two weeks short of his 93rd birthday.
He is known for his career at Inco, where he introduced computerization in the 1960s, as well as his work in the community for charities such as the United Way and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth.
A message from Premier Dalton McGuinty was read at the service.
“In his distinguished 42-year career with Inco, James was known for his professionalism and innovative, forward-thinking ideas,” McGuinty said, in the statement.
“His extensive and varied community service and financial contributions did much to strengthen the City of Sudbury, the province of Ontario and Canada as a whole.”
Tributes to Grassby were also given by his friend, Jose Blanco, as well as the representatives of several organizations which Grassby was involved in during his life.
“Jim was a generous citizen who shared his many skills, his enthusiasm and his resources,” Blanco, who knew Grassby from his time at Inco, said. “He was also a gifted problem-solver.”
The Silver Birch Quartet and Laurentian University's jazz combo performed during the service.
Chris Nash officiated at the service.
“Every so often we witness a life that changes every aspect of a community for the better,” Nash said, in a press release.
“James Grassby's life was one that made our city, our economy, our community stronger.”
