Malcolm Bates (Mack) Bryson
February 4, 1933 - June 8, 2017
"After one helluva ride, Mack Bryson left this life on June 8, 2017.
He filled his 84 years with fun, hard work and adventure with friends and strangers alike. He loved and provided service to his home communities and their people: Pavilion-Lillooet, Merritt-Nicola Valley, the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Kamloops and Vancouver. He was always eager to lend a hand, share a story, or offer his opinion on politics - often over a fine malt.
Mack leaves his beloved wife of almost 57 years, Elizabeth, daughter of Douglas and Anne (Mackenzie) Stevenson of Williams Lake, now of Vancouver; adored children Lisa, Jack (Carla), and Doug (Marcia) as well as grandchildren Malcolm, Mackie, Duncan, Aza, Ingrid, Paul, and Andrea (Luke) who all cherish his memory.
He also leaves his beloved sister Donna Gillis of Cardston, along with her children, grand and great grandchildren; and much-loved sister-in-law Karyn Bryson of Ashcroft with her children and grandchildren. As well, Mack leaves a legion of family and friends who admired his warmth, joie de vivre, and ready smile.
He lived a charmed life and his intrepid nature led him to many unexpected experiences. He attended Britannia High School and later UBC and SFU in Vancouver. Starting life as a rancher and cowboy, Mack later became a teacher, coach, Cub Scout leader, politician (running provincially in Kamloops in 1969 and federally in 1980), board member of Western Canada Theatre, a Citizenship Court Judge, Agriculture Canada manager, pioneer of High School Rodeo in Canada, and also the Returning Officer for Elections Canada in Vancouver East for many years.
Mack was a great story teller and wrote an autobiography about his early adventures on his family's cattle ranch, Empire Valley. His book, "A Cowboy's Life: Memories of a Western Cowboy in an Empire of Grass," celebrates a way of life that few experience today. Mack and Liz and so many of their friends shared fun and travels together all over the world.
He was predeceased by his brother Duncan and parents Eleanore and Clarence.
A memorial to celebrate Mack's life will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Hoodoos at Sun Rivers, Kamloops between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Foundation - Interstitial Lung Disease Fund. Spfoundation@providencehealth.bc.ca