Steve Bertalan Branyik passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 29th, 2024, in Victoria BC, with family and his loving wife, Adolphena, by his side.
Dad was born on December 11th, 1939, in Budapest, Hungary where he spent many happy summers at his grandparents’ farm. Here he learned the values of hard work, family, and the joy of a simple life, which he carried with him his whole life.
In 1956 he immigrated to Canada to begin a new chapter. Not long after arriving he met Mom, the love of his life, who he married in 1960 and together they settled in Victoria, BC. It was the start of a long and happy life together; Christine was born three years later, followed by Stephanie, and Steven, and so began the great adventures of “Branyikville: Population 5.”
Dad loved every single minute of being a husband and father. His family was his greatest source of pride and he never missed the opportunity to tell us. He had an endless supply of unconditional love that also included his son and daughter-in-law, nieces and nephews, godchildren and their children. He was a naturally giving person, it came effortlessly, and he greeted everyone with a big, broad smile. Mom and Dad’s house was their house too. What a gift that was.
His capacity to love grew even deeper when their grandchildren arrived; they will be lucky indeed to find someone who could adore them more than he did. They were, and forever will be, his sunshines.
Although Dad’s family clearly had his heart, he also had a passion for hard work. He was a friend and mentor who led by example. He served on the executive of the Labourers’ Union for many years and over his career he gained a reputation for excellence, particularly his great skill in crafting concrete for large scale builds such as the Victoria General Hospital, Victoria Convention Centre, Harbourside and the Oak Bay Beach Hotels.
He was a much beloved coach and manager with the Gordon Head Soccer Association, making a lifelong impression on many young men in the community. He took great pleasure in keeping up with them over the years.
He was a fixture of the neighbourhood and a friend of everyone. He was generous with his time and expertise and was the adopted second father to a vast number of gardens and lawns all the way up and down the hill, all of whom will miss his magical green thumb.
Dad loved our Mom, playing cards with family and friends, club soda with wine, trying to outsmart the deer in the backyard, his garden, playing Lotto 649, soccer, hockey, a good steak, garlic, and clean vehicles.
Some time ago, when he was able to return to Europe and see his father after many years, he remembered, “my dad just held my hand and looked at me and said, ‘you’re a good person, you’re a good man’,” and indeed, he could not have been more correct.
Dad was predeceased by his father, Pal Branyik, and mother Maria Zambo.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Adolphena, & children Christine (Jeffrey), Stephanie, Steven (Maru), his grandchildren: Maya, Maxwell, Carter, Aiyana and Tato, Pato, Victoria & Andres, sisters Judith, Agi and Margit, nieces, nephews and extended family who were all very special to him.
The family would like to thank the paramedic staff, doctors, nurses & staff at the Royal Jubilee hospital for the compassionate and excellent care Dad received.
A celebration of life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Garden, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 2:00 pm.
Donations may be made to the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, 345 Wale Rd. Victoria, BC, V9B 9Z9
If you like, get yourself a lottery ticket in his memory. He would absolutely love it if you became a millionaire.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
27 Responses
So sorry to hear that Mr. B. has passed. He was always like a 2nd father to me. So many memories. Such a great man who influenced so many. I want to share my favourite line that Mr. B taught me: “I am always open to other people’s ideas. If you think of a better way, I will be the first to accept and change my ways to yours. But until then, we’re doing it my way.”. A man who knew there are probably smarter people around, doesn’t have false ideas about his own way necessarily being the only way, but also, look, we’re trying to get things done here, no fooling around. Condolences Addie, Steve, Stephanie and Christine. Mr. B will be missed by me and by many many people.
Todd W
What a guy! And how lucky was I to get to see Steve so often at our Victor School jams! Chairs immaculately placed….and a smile for us all. My heart is with his beloved family – later today I look forward to sharing his fully lived life with you all!
Steve was the most wonderful neighbor a family could ask for. He was full of sage advice on lawn care, gardening, and how to keep our home well cared for. When we had home repairs done, he came over and kept a close eye on the contractors to make sure they were doing a solid job. But most of all, we just loved to talk with him about life, family, and community. His kindness, generosity and humor were always appreciated. We will miss him dearly.
Dear Steve and Maru,
We are very sorry to hear about the passing of your father and are very grateful to have known him and his beautiful soul. What a remarkable life he had! We will be missing seeing him in our neighborhood, smiling, humming away, and always taking the time for a friendly chat.
Wishing you strength and comfort through this difficult time.
Please accept our sincere and deepest condolences.
Claudia and Mitch Rau ♥️
Dear Addie,
Nazee and I (grandparents of Leo, Luka and Lev) deeply saddened by the news of the passing of your dearly loved husband. We convey our heartfelt condolences and tender sympathy to you and the bereaved members of your family. I came to know your husband through Katty. In addition to many other discussions, on many occasions, I requested his opinion about their house repair. In addition, he shared stories about his family, a reflection of his true love and dedication for all of you.
It was in the context of these conversations that I came to learn about members of his family and how much he cared for each of you–from his wife to his children, his grandchildren, his parents, etc. Our family became very praiseworthy of the soft and gentle character of your dear husband. For these exemplary attributes and virtues, he will always be remembered. We will say prayers for the progress of his resplendent soul throughout the worlds of God. I am sure that his soul has been uplifted through the prayers that have been offered, and that he would rejoice to see the support offered by his family and friends.
Dear Addie, we know that the body is like a cloud to the sun of the human soul. During our lives, the rays of that sun must penetrate the impediment of the body in order to shed their light. But death dissipates the cloud, and the rays of the sun can shine without any obstruction once we leave this earthly plane. We believe that the radiance of Steve’s dearly loved soul is closer to you, his family, and friends more so now than ever before.
Dear Chriss, sending my sympathies to you, your mom, and your family. I only met your father once but could see so much of him in you. It’s a real loss for your kids but how lucky were they to have so many years with him.
xoxo
Dear Steven & Maru. We were incredibly moved by the legacy your Dad and Father-in-law blessed your extended family with. We hope that as you both recount the tremendous accomplishments of a life well lived, it will warm your hearts and comfort your souls to claim that no one, and we mean no one, could possibly live such a purposeful life, full of love, joy, and goodwill. Please accept our sincere condolences.