Steve Bertalan Branyik

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

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