BIRGIR BRYNJOLFSSON

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BIRGIR BRYNJOLFSSON (1933 - 2000) It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Birgir Brynjolfsson on February 3, 2000 in Iceland. Birgir is survived by his children, Jon Birgirsson of Iceland, Brynja Birgirsdottir of Denmark and Justin, Stefan and Erik Brynjolfsson all of Whitehorse. He is also lovingly remembered by Sylvia Kjartanson of Whitehorse and by his stepchildren, Bradley Finnson of Whitehorse, Denise (David) Hewitt and Veloy (Randy) Gilhen both of Winnipeg and by his grandchildren, Ryan, Branden, Kjartan and Griffin Hewitt and Alexandra and Scott Gilhen. Birgir lived in Winnipeg for many years and was an active member of the Manitoba Icelandic Community, serving as Honorary Consul General of Iceland throughout the 1980s. The familys fondest, most lasting memories of Birgir are of him with one of the children on his lap singing Icelandic songs or telling one of his much loved and often-told stories of the childhood adventures he and his friend Simi had growing up in Iceland. Birgir always kept a copy of this poem: The Man in the Glass When you get what you want in your struggle for Self, And the world makes you King for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that man has to say. For it isnt your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgement upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the man staring back from the glass. Hes the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For hes with you clear up to the end, And youve passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend. You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum, And think youre a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says youre only a bum If you cant look him straight in the eye. You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If youve cheated the man in the glass. Donations in Birgirs memory may be made to the Kidney Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2000