Obituary of Wayne Alexander Groves

Wayne Alexander Groves, at the age of 62, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 at Markham-Stouffville Hospital.  

Wayne was born November 29, 1961, in East York to Alexander Groves and Marilyn Groves (nee Eldridge) and was raised in Scarborough, Ontario. He attended L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute where he found his love of Boxing and DJ-ing for the high school radio station. For College, he attended Centennial, which afforded him a successful career in the family insurance business for many years. Later in his career, he joined his life-long best friend, Tom Leithwood, at the TTC. First as a bus driver and then as a Clerk, Wayne would retire from this role by 2020.  

As his pastimes, Wayne was an active Mason to the 32nd-degree; a Shriner; a clown for many charity events and birthday parties; and even donned a Santa costume annually. He was a hardcore fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and never for a moment doubted a Stanley Cup win year after year. When it came time for a vacation, he loved being with his sister and brother-in-law in Turks and Caicos.  

Wayne is survived by his children, Danielle Groves (Ronan Shannon), Wayne Groves (Oleksandra Groves) and Tristen Groves; three grandchildren, Rowan, George, and Emily; his brother Bryan Groves and sister Kathy McLeod (Bryan McLeod). He is also survived by countless extended family and friends for whom he loved dearly.  

Wayne will be especially remembered for his timeless one-liners and a joke for every occasion. If he didn’t make you laugh or at least roll your eyes, he wasn’t satisfied.  

Visitation will be held on Wednesday December 27th at 11:30am at the Dixon-Garland Funeral Home at 166 Main St Markham N, Markham, ON L3P 1Y3. Funeral service to follow at 1pm at the same location. If you’d like, please wear your favourite hockey jersey (doesn’t have to be the Leafs) and bring us your best joke, for Wayne.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada.