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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
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