Grant William Harvey passed away on August 14, 2026, surrounded by his family in Albuquerque, NM.
He was born on November 28, 1944, to Lawrence and Georgia Harvey in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Grant graduated from Lindsay Thurber Composite High School and went on to the University of New Mexico.
In July of 1977, Grant married Rosalie (Lee) Harvey. He had various jobs including being a sportswriter for the Albuquerque Journal and working as a self-employed Toyota mechanic until his late 70s. A dedicated supporter of UNM Lobo Hockey, he also coached the team for many years and guided his sons, Grant C. and Miles during their time there.
Long before Easy Rider made motorcycles trendy, Grant Harvey Sr. already recognized their appeal. That was just who he was; he always found his own path through life rather than sticking to the usual one.
Growing up in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Grant’s story began with an unexpected talent that might surprise those who knew him as a motorcycle enthusiast and hockey player. As a child, he even did some tap dancing-just one of many surprising twists in a life full of them.
The move from Canada to Albuquerque had its practical reasons. The University of New Mexico was the first college that accepted him without charging an application fee. So off went this young Canadian to New Mexico-probably never imagining how saving a few bucks would shape where he’d spend most of his life while creating countless memories along the way.
Albuquerque became home.
At UNM, Grant joined the Daily Lobo as a journalist where his natural cynicism likely served him well. He later shifted gears into sports journalism with the Albuquerque Journal but briefly taught before discovering how much he loved working with his hands-especially on Toyota trucks.
During his time at UNM, he was hard to miss. While other students drove standard vehicles, Grant stood out by owning hearses-a choice that fit perfectly for someone who didn’t feel compelled to follow what everyone else did.
The hearses were just part of his adventures. At one point in time, Grant lived in a Winnebago and even picked up a teepee along the way which meant hauling its long poles strapped atop it while camping-definitely not your typical camping setup! But then again, easy wasn’t really what appealed to him.
He rode motorcycles long before they became counterculture icons. He enjoyed getting lost in fixing up Toyota trucks and took great pleasure in gardening too-watching plants grow brought him satisfaction. He raised bulldogs and had quite the talent for baking bread; enough so that he earned blue ribbons at State Fairs! It seems fitting that someone whose journey included tap dancing would also be an award-winning bread baker alongside all those other interests like motorcycles and hockey.
And yes-there was hockey! For any Canadian like him it almost feels inevitable.
Grant was among the pioneering players for UNM Lobo Ice Hockey back in the 1970s and stayed connected with hockey even after retiring from playing. Years later he returned as coach from 2007 to 2012 sharing both his expertise and passion for the game with new Lobos. The young man who initially came to UNM because it offered free applications eventually became Coach Harvey!
Beneath all those unique experiences though lay something simpler at heart: family meant everything to him.
Grant spent 49 wonderful years married to Rosalie together raising three kids: Grant Jr., Ashley and Miles while building lasting memories right there in Albuquerque. There were always projects waiting for attention-a truck needing repairs or plants growing or animals needing care-but through it all he prioritized family time above everything else.
Their family knew more than just “the coach,” “the journalist,” or “the mechanic.” They knew Dad-the one with great humor mixed with healthy cynicism; quirks that made them laugh or sometimes irritated them; living life fully around projects or gardens or adventures-all while making sure they felt valued every step along their journey together!
This openness extended beyond just immediate family too! He showed kindness towards people often overlooked such as those experiencing homelessness-not idealizing anyone’s circumstances but acknowledging we all have stories worth hearing-even when complicated ones exist beneath surfaces others may ignore entirely!
No doubt this journalist spirit remained alive within him since he’d engage folks whom others might pass by without noticing-weaving genuine connections through shared conversations sometimes turning into friendships over time!
Caring deeply about community ties too-his beloved sister Jeanne remains part of this narrative linking lives stretched across borders between Canada & New Mexico.
A lovely reminder could perhaps be found here – true beauty lies within embracing differences instead of demanding neatness surrounding experiences encountered throughout our lives together.
The story woven throughout life reveals someone choosing unconventional paths over ordinary ones leading ultimately toward unforgettable journeys filled richness around storytelling exchanged along these rides.
A visitation will be held Thursday , August 20 ,2026 ,1 :00 p. m., at Sunset Memorial Park , Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum Chapel ,924 Menaul Blvd. NE , with entombment following.
A Celebration Of Life takes place Sunday , August23 ,2026 ,2 :00 p. m., at Revel located at4720 Alexander Blvd. NE ,87107.
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