WALTER BRYK

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WALTER BRYK
September 2, 1935 - October 1, 2019

Walter Bryk, born September 2, 1935, passed away after a short illness on October 1, 2019. He was predeceased by his wife Olive Katherine (nee Carey) in 1997.
He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Charlene (Jack); grandchildren, Emma and Gavin; brothers, Robert and Edward; sisters, Linda and Shirley (Gord); nieces, Carrie and Celeste; and nephew Kevin.
Walter was born in Winnipeg's north end (St. Joseph's Hospital) and attended Aberdeen, St. Johns and Isaac Newton School. He participated in soccer, football and track. He often spoke of his friendships made in his youth and kept in touch with a few of them by going for coffee at the mall with Al, Peter, Bill and Tom.
One of his first jobs took him to Churchill, MB and then on to Iqaluit where he worked on the DEW Line with ITT. It was there that he met the love of his life, Olive, in 1958. He was transferred to Montreal for a job opportunity and later transferred back home to Winnipeg in 1961, where he and Olive married. Walter remained in Human Resources for ITT. He enjoyed the job as it required travel from coast to coast in Canada. Walter remained with ITT until 1973 when he joined the Province of Manitoba Government Services as a Personnel Officer and travelled extensively throughout Manitoba. During this time, Olive and Walter enjoyed travelling to Mexico, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Europe and visited relatives in Quebec, New York, New Jersey and Vermont. In 1974 they built their home in Charleswood and in 1977 they welcomed their daughter Charlene into the world.
In 2003 and 2005, he became a grandfather to Emma and Gavin. They were the joy of his life and he loved being called "Grandpa". He enjoyed spending time with them, taking them on outings throughout the city and had many sleepovers with them. As they got older, he enjoyed watching them play various sports and was their biggest fan.
Walter always enjoyed meeting people and it resulted in him having lifelong friendships. He enjoyed many sociable outings and beers with his co-worker Cam. He was a fan of all football, especially the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and enjoyed watching boxing matches. Working as an extra in movies being filmed in Winnipeg was a hobby he enjoyed. His first movie was Mob Story in 1986 and he was hooked. He continued as an extra in many films, especially after he retired in 2001. He worked on close to 40 movies and had met many friends and celebrities along the way. He also was an actor for Crime Stopper commercials, often playing the culprit which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Walter always spoke of many friends made in Charleswood and cherished meeting them socially over the years at the local watering holes. (You will know who you are). A man of Catholic faith, Walter attended mass regularly.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Tuxedo Villa, Victoria Hospital and Grace Hospital for your care and compassion. Walter appreciated all that you did for him.
Respecting Walter's wishes, no funeral will be held. Cremation has taken place and a service was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. A private family interment ceremony of Walter and Olive's ashes will be made at a later date in the family columbarium at the Holy Ghost Cemetery.

"It's been a super life and I enjoyed the company of friends in the journey through life."

- Walter Bryk

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 26, 2019