Obituary of FRANKLIN JOHN BYRA

FRANKLIN JOHN BYRA

April 25,1945 - September 22, 2023

Peacefully on Friday September 22, 2023, in the morning hours and in his 78th year Frank passed away with his family by his side at the St. Boniface Hospital following a difficult illness.

Frank was predeceased by his children Sherry and Jon, both of his parents John and Frances, and sisters Diane and Joan. 

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Elaine; two children, Marcy (Dean), Kelly (Glen), grandchildren Abigail, Kassidy, Lexan and Briella, as well as his brothers Joe and Dan and their families. 

Early in life, Frank met Elaine, his wife and partner in life. They were married for 53 years but together much longer. Elaine was Frank’s rock, and vice versa. Shortly after marriage, they set their roots in Transcona where they raised their children and remained their entire marriage. 

His career began at Swifts before he moved onto CN, and then he ultimately retired from Building Products. 

Frank was strong-willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and a wonderful, witty sense of humour. He was generous, hard working and brave. He was clever and full to the brim with knowledge gained through all of his life experiences - he could fix or build anything. He was happiest when he had a project to work on, constantly tinkering with his many little gadgets or scooters, and guiding his son-in-law through vehicle repairs. 

Frank loved being a Gido. He had fun teasing and joking with his grandchildren. One reoccurring joke would be whatever animals the kids were drawing or colouring, he’d proclaim, “Nice horse!” to drawings that clearly were not horses, just to get a laugh from the adults and an eye roll and a correction from the kids. In his later years he lived to make his grandkids happy by spoiling them with gifts like scooters and quads, which he got so much joy from watching them on those toys.

Frank also had a big passion for mushrooms. He loved to go picking morels, shaggy manes, and honey mushrooms. He had several mushroom encyclopedias he would proudly pull out, and he had freezers full of his harvests. At every holiday meal delicious mushrooms and cream sauce were a mandatory dish.

Cremation has taken place and at Frank’s request, there will be no service. 

Until we meet again…