A Father’s Legacy Powers New EV Charging Station at Notre Dame Campus
On the first Tuesday after Black Friday, millions of people around the world support the global movement that is GivingTuesday. It first began in 2012 and has become one of the biggest fundraising days of the year driven by the generosity of people. GivingTuesday 2024 falls today, December 3.
RRC Polytech is the fortunate recipient of incredible generosity from its staff, students and extended community. One example of this is Greg Grande, an electrician and a member of the Facility Management team at RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus.
When Greg Grande installed a new EV charging station at the RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame campus this fall, he did it with one goal in mind: honouring his father Angelo’s spirit of generosity and passion for innovation.
Growing up, Greg remembers his dad as a man who was always fixing, building, and teaching. Angelo was the type who greeted each day with a roll-up-your-sleeves mentality and a keen eye for how things worked. His enthusiasm for new technologies left a deep impression on Greg.
“He was always into the next big thing, sometimes before the rest of us even knew about it,” says Greg. “Our house was always filled with the latest gadgets.”
Angelo’s expertise was boundless. As a concrete worker, plumber, electrician, and carpenter, he spent a lifetime mastering his trades and sharing his knowledge with anyone who needed a hand – be it a young apprentice or a neighbour struggling to build a backyard smokehouse.
To those who knew him, he was affectionately called “Maestro Angelo,” a nod not only to his skill but to his deep commitment to community service. Angelo’s devotion ran so deep that the City of Winnipeg even named a street after him – ‘Angelo Grande Bocce Way’. The street name commemorates how he taught people from all walks of life to play the game that meant so much to him, forging a stronger community in the process.
When Angelo passed away in 2021 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, Greg found himself searching for a meaningful way to continue his dad’s legacy. It wasn’t until he bought an electric vehicle that the idea struck him: donating a charging station to RRC Polytech, where he’s worked for nearly 25 years, would honour both his father’s memory and passion for innovation “while giving back to a place that’s given so much to me.”
The new charging station aligns with RRC Polytech’s commitment to environmental responsibility, offering students and staff an accessible way to support sustainable practices. Located in M Building, it’s part of the College’s larger efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and encourage eco-friendly choices within the campus community.
Soon, a plaque in Angelo’s memory will be placed at the charging station, serving as a tangible reminder of the Grande family’s belief in giving back. “I don’t want his name to be forgotten,” says Greg, his voice full of emotion. “Maestro Angelo” may have been a term of respect, but to Greg, it’s also a call to action – a reminder to lift others up and leave things a little better than you found them.
For Greg, this gift is only the beginning. “My dad always said, if you’re going to give back, give back double.” He hopes this tribute will inspire others at RRC Polytech to find their own ways to make a difference – just as Angelo would have wanted.