Obituary of BRYAN OKURLEY

BRYAN MICHAEL OKURLEY

June 5, 1949 – May 4, 2021

 

Hearts broken and devastated, the family announces  the passing of Bryan on May 4, 2021 at

St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 71 due to Covid complications.  As a family we were able to

be with Bryan  and tell him how much we loved him as he came to the end of his life on earth.

He was an accomplished man; a loving husband of 49 years and a devoted father to his

only child, Graeme.  We will miss him terribly.

Bryan is survived by his loving wife, Terri, son Graeme (Liz) and beloved pet Phoebe.  He also

leave to morn his mother, Bernice, sister Judie (Doug), nephews Kyle and Chad; brother-in-law

Patrick (Jennie), nieces Stacey  and Jillian (Cory).  Bryan was predeceased by his father

Michael.

Bryan began his life on June 5, 1949, and lived in the North End on Manitoba Avenue during his

early years.  He attended Faraday school in his primary years and graduated from Sisler High

School.  Bryan met Terri on the steps of a barber shop on McPhillips Avenue during one of the

first Manitoba Marathon.  She was walking and caught his eye and on June 17, 1972 they were

married.  Many people thought we were too young but when your heart tells you `that`s the one`

you hold on and don`t let go. On October 12, 1981 (Thanksgiving Day) they welcomed into the

world their son, Graeme.  Bryan adored his son and  taught him life’s  right values in becoming

a good and honest person so that he would be respected by all as his father was.  Faith was at the

core of Bryan’s teaching and will forever remain in Graeme`s heart.

Bryan’s first job was with the data centre for Hudson Bay House – this was the beginning of the

computer era.  From here he moved onto Royal Trust in the accounting department as he had a

great aptitude for numbers.  His interest in commercial real estate led him to work in this area

where he managed several major properties. Bryan completed the Real Estate Institute of

Management programs and he excelled in building relationships with the various owners,

developers and lawyers who mentored him in this much loved profession.  As time went on he

formed his own company and provided consulting services for companies that wanted to

franchise – this was a whole new love in the business.

 Upon retiring, Bryan had more time to spend with his family.  We took family trips

to all parts of Canada and the USA.  Bryan loved the farm and the cattle business which led

him to acquiring several head of Charolais cattle each year which he kept on property up North

with the assistance of his cousin Jeff.   He loved to get his hands dirty in the garden and he

grew some great tomatoes and vegetables which we enjoyed during the end of summer and fall. 

Bryan created a beautiful perennial  garden and was working on completing the second phase

when Covid took him. 

Bryan’s greatest  passion was deer hunting right from his early teen years.  He had many

mentors (father, uncles) for this sport and as a new bride, Terri learned to cook venison.  Bryan

never missed a year of hunting right until last year.  Another passion was watching the Winnipeg

Jets play. He took Graeme to several games and the Jets seemed to win every time they went

there. Bryan was an amazing man as he never complained about his health issues (he had a bad

knee which was to be repaired this year).  He was always concerned about others and when

Covid landed him in hospital, he was only worried about his family and that we were okay.  By

the grace of God we were able to tell him  how much we loved him as we spoke on the phone

before he was placed on a ventilator.  We were at his bedside every day holding his hand and

telling him to fight like heck because we needed him to come home.  But God needed him and

graced us with a last acknowledgement that he heard Terri  speaking to him by squeezing her

hand.

We cannot thank enough the nursing staff and doctors who helped Bryan during his month stay

At St. Boniface.  Our family will never be the same without Bryan. 

A private family service is to take place at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church with interment

At Holy Family Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Bryan’s memory may be made to St.

 

Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church Maintenance Fund or Holy Family Home.

 

John 3:16 -  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that

Everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  GOD

did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

 

Khrystos Voskres

Vichnaya  Pamyat