Geoffrey Ross Dyck

In deep sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved son and brother, Geoffrey Dyck, who defied all prognoses of an early death from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to live a full 58 years. Taking account of his medical diagnosis as a young lad, he lived not only long, but well. Until the last 6 weeks of his life, he relished every bit of good food, every adventure or outing, the many books he read in the minutest detail, his favourite music (including, of course, the Beatles), the movies, and TV offerings like Jeopardy or shows about nature and history. Needless to say, he was hard to beat at Trivial Pursuit. Most of all, he liked the company of his near and extended family, family friends or any gathering of people into which he invariably managed to fit with quiet ease and a calm spirit. People all seemed to warm to him even though he was a man of few words. Those who knew him best had learned to anticipate his humour and sharp mind.

Geoffrey was born in Fort Churchill and following this lived in Winnipeg, California, Kansas, Indiana and his last 15 years again in Winnipeg. Along the way he accumulated lasting friends who continued to stay connected. His family enlarged itself through the presence in the home for the last half of his life of nurses and other caregivers who helped see to his needs but also forged bonds that went beyond the call of duty. Our family salutes their professionalism and thanks them for what they meant to Geoffrey.

Geoffrey was a man of quiet faith. His was not a complicated and speculative theology, but an unwavering confidence that God cared for him, despite the many setbacks he experienced through the relentless deterioration of his muscular faculties. Beyond this, Geoffrey had a strong sense of fair play.  Though it was very seldom anyone saw him angry, he was a fierce verbal champion of every victim of injustice whose story he encountered. He was convinced that God must be, too.

Geoffrey faced his final trial with courage and a profound grace. Cancer surgery in late summer went well and Geoff resumed his normal way of life. As his condition suddenly deteriorated rapidly and his ability to articulate his thoughts almost vanished, his family was amazed at his acceptance of what he knew was happening.  His appreciation of his doctors and those who cared for him was a gift and a lesson to us all.

Geoffrey leaves to mourn his parents Herold and Alfrieda (Klassen) Dyck, his sister Laurel, her husband Ron Gerbrandt, his brother Kevin Dyck with his partner Robin Briles, two nephews Samuel and Noah Gerbrandt and many cousins and friends. He will be sorely missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 16 ,2024 at Crossings Funeral Care, followed by a time of fellowship in the reception hall. Interment will take place in the Steinbach Heritage Cemetery. For those unable to attend in person the family invites you to join them through livestream.