Gary David Rygus

Rygus, Gary David

On Saturday September 30, 2023, Gary passed away peacefully in the loving embrace of his family after a hard-fought battle with melanoma first diagnosed in July 2022.
Mourning his passing are, his loving wife, soulmate and dance partner Andrea (nee Englert), his daughter Stephanie, his son Alexander (wife Allison Kee and their daughter Lucy), brother Larry and family, mother-in-law Dorothea Englert (Hans Englert 2012), niece Jessica (José), brother-in-law Cam Watson (Susanne Englert 2017), Aunt Vickie and family, extended family and friends. He is reunited in heaven with his beloved mother Virginia and grandparents, Nana and Gigo Bobyk.

Gary was one of a kind, a principled, loyal, good man. His greatest love in this world was his family.
Gary and Andrea met in the Commerce program at U of T. Upon graduation, he started his career in financial services, transitioned into the Ontario Ministry of Finance, then back into the private sector as a government relations specialist and ended his career as a senior member of Ontario government political staff. Those who knew him professionally will have experienced his highly principled approach, steadfast belief in doing the right thing and, wry sense of humour.

Gary had many leisure interests, including daily morning walks with his wife, skiing (snow and water), cottaging, golf and ballroom dancing. He enjoyed traveling but didn’t enjoy flying! His most memorable trips were skiing in Zermatt and, celebrating his 60th birthday golfing at Pebble Beach with good friends Mary and Mark.

Our sincere thanks to his Sunnybrook medical team led by Dr. Petrella with Drs. Sirianni, Tsao and Scalco, the nurses and other front-line staff who supported him from diagnosis to his passing.
We thank Dr. Jane Wu and Dr. Michael Isaacs at the Cleveland Clinic and, are most grateful to the emergency responders and the staff at Humber River hospital who ensured his passing was peaceful.
In memory of Gary, please consider a donation to Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, Wellspring, Humber River Hospital or the Dorothy Ley Hospice.

Family and friends will be received at Ward Funeral Home, Weston Chapel, 2035 Weston Road in Toronto on Thursday October 5th from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30am in the Weston Chapel. Interment to follow at Park Lawn Cemetery. After the interment, all guests are welcome back to Ward Funeral Home to share in some light refreshments.

He was always proud of his Ukranian heritage. VichnayaPamyat

Click Here to Donate to Sunnybrook

Click Here to Donate to Wellspring

Click Here to Donate to Humber River Hospital

Click Here to Donate to the Dorothy Ley Hospice