Gordon Frank Ryz

Gord Ryz of Onanole, Manitoba, formerly of Dauphin, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at the age of 74 years.

The family is hosting a Funeral Mass for Gordon on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 11:00 am from the St. Viator's Roman Catholic Church in Dauphin with Rev. Michel Nault & Fr. Mark Tarrant officiating.  

It was with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Gordon Frank Ryz, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother.
Gordon was born in Dauphin, MB on June 20, 1946, to Frank and Dora Ryz.  He obtained his elementary schooling at Dauphin Plains rural school and high school at the Dauphin Collegiate and Technical Institute.  In 1965, he graduated from the Electrical Vocational Program and that same year, Gord joined Manitoba Hydro as a lineman.
On  July 26th, 1969, Gord married Evelyn (Klock).  In 1970, Gord and Evelyn moved to Winnipeg to continue his employment with Manitoba Hydro as an Engineering Technician.  While living in Winnipeg, Gord joined and was actively involved in the St. Boniface All Saints Kinsmen Club.
In 1977, Gord and Evelyn moved back to Dauphin to take over the family farm as well as start his interior/exterior painting business, GR Painting.  Gord joined the Kinsmen Club of Dauphin and was actively involved at the local, zone and district levels where he held many executive positions and was presented with a Life Membership of the Kinsmen Association.  He entertained with his banjo at many Kinsmen gatherings and was the life of the party.  Gord was also a member of the Knights of Columbus; and a past board member of the Dauphin and District Community Foundation.  In 1989, Gord was elected school trustee for the Dauphin-Ochre School Board, now known as Mountain View School Division, where he served on many committees within the Manitoba School Board Association, and after 22 years retired in 2011.  In 1995, Gord accepted the nomination to head the Progressive Conservative Party for the MLA of Dauphin-Swan River constituency.
Gord's drive and ambition allowed him to have numerous businesses in Dauphin; GR Painting, Gord's Corner Store and GB Line Painting.  He was also employed by St. Viator's Church to oversee building of the church rectory and perform other duties.  In 2001, Gord and Evelyn moved off the farm to Dauphin where they owned and operated the Prairie Mountain Inn, formerly known as Tween Lakes Motel.  They retired in January of 2017 and moved to their home in Clear Lake/Onanole, MB.
Gord's family music background and his love for music was evident.  When his children, grandchildren, siblings and immediate family gathered, these were always special and memorable times for Gord.  The instruments would come out and the foot tapping, singing and dancing would begin.  He loved his family unconditionally.  His spare time was spent listening to YouTube and compiling his favourite music playlist of Ukrainian "hoedown" music on his iPhone, which he referred to as "happy music".  His "happy music" was always played in their home, on their deck during the summer, and on trips out west.
Gord leaves to mourn his passing and fond memories, his wife Evelyn, their children and grandchildren, Chris, his children Reilly & Dylan; Lindsey, her children Emersyn and Braillie; Brent (Carrie) and daughter Brooklyn; his siblings, Edward (Diane); Ernie (Shirley); and Ruth (Bob) and extended family.  Gordon was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Dora Ryz; parents in-law Michael and Mary Klock ; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Elmer and Adeline Klock, and their daughter, Michelle.
It has been said about the Ryz blood, that they are as tough as steel and his grandfather Kuba Ryz, was quoted "I am tougher than steel, the steel would have worn out by now," and those words ring true for Gord, as he worked hard all his life for his family, extended family, children and friends.  his work ethic and kind heart will be remembered always.

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