Gerald Ryznar

It is with heavy hearts and great love that we announce the passing of Gerald Ryznar — a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather — on May 14, 2025, at the age of 86. He passed away in the evening hours at Oak Care Centre (George Pearson Centre) in Vancouver, three years and nine months after sustaining serious injuries from a fall at his North Vancouver home in August 2021.

Gerald was the loving husband of Teresa Ryznar (Mraz) and the devoted father of Natalie, Michael (Beverly), Peter, Gordon (Tami), and Dan (Andrena). He was a proud grandfather to Samantha and Melissa (Natalie), Emily, Elizabeth, and Isabel (Michael and Beverly), Sophie and Justin (Peter), and Jake and Sam (Gordon and Tami). He was also a beloved great-grandfather to Joseph and Isaac (Emily and Mark).

He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Sophia, and his brother Ralph. He is survived by his sisters, Gloria and Dolores, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Gerald was raised in the small coal mining town of Coleman, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Surrounded by nature, his love for the outdoors flourished and later inspired a career in geology. In Coleman, he met Teresa, his devoted wife of 60 years. After marrying in 1964, they moved to Trail, BC, where their first child, Natalie, was born as Gerald worked with Cominco as a prospector and geologist.

After earning his Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Alberta in 1965 and receiving his P.Eng., Gerald and Teresa moved to West Vancouver, where they resided for two years. Following the birth of their son Michael, they purchased their first and only house together — a warm and loving family home backing onto Mosquito Creek in North Vancouver.

Gerald’s work took him around the world, from Fiji to New Zealand, the Canadian Arctic, and beyond. He returned with stories of wilderness survival, treasures, artifacts, fossils, animal skins and antlers, massive lake trout, and of course, lots of rocks! His character and persona fascinated the young minds of his children. Photos of Inuit settlements, trading posts, mountain peaks, dog sledding, caribou, and muskox in the rugged barren lands of the Northwest Territories, along with accounts of remote drilling operations, logging and mining camps, and travels by boat, float plane, and helicopter, helped paint the picture of Gerald: the explorer, fur trader, prospector, driller, miner, gold panner, hunter, and gatherer. To his kids, he was Indiana Jones and tougher than Rambo.

He founded his own company, Windflower Mining, in 1985 and experienced varying degrees of success analyzing, purchasing, drilling, developing, and selling mining properties. In his later years, he continued working independently. He never officially retired. His enthusiasm and passion for the industry were obvious, from the continuous hunt for gold to mingling at mining conferences and spending countless hours in his den. Day after day, he pursued the elusive deal, watching the markets and meticulously scribbling notes on pieces of paper that often made sense only to him.

His work, however, always came second to his family and faith. A dedicated and honest family man, strict but loving, he instilled strong morals and ethics, the importance of family and Church, hard work, and education. He led by example, embodying the Christian spirit: humble, generous, and forgiving.

His joy was most evident when he was surrounded by family. As the pillar of the household, he took pride in carving the turkey at family gatherings, firing up the BBQ, hiding Easter eggs in the forest, jigsawing wooden turkeys, and taking the grandkids on local hikes.

So many fond memories. Dad, you’re in our hearts always. We’ll never forget you.

A special thanks to the amazing, hardworking, and dedicated staff at Lions Gate Hospital and Oak Care Centre.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2725 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, on May 26, 2025, at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at the Ryznar family home, 4405 Glencanyon Drive, North Vancouver.