Obituary of Gregory Leon Wyborn

October 5, 1936 – August 26, 2019

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Gregory Leon Wyborn.  Greg passed away on August 26, 2019 at the Grande Prairie Care Centre.

Gregory was born in Torpoint, England, the first of four children to Phyllis and Leonard Wyborn, on October 5, 1936.  Leonard passed away while in service in Egypt when Gregory was 8 years old.  Greg took the responsibility of being the oldest to heart, and helped to support the family, something he did until his mother passed away in 2000. 

Greg attended school in Plymouth, England and worked full time at the dockyard at night.    Greg worked hard to earn his degree in Electric Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.   He immigrated to Canada in December of 1961, where he met Norma in March of 1962 and they married October 20, 1962 in Welland.

Greg and Norma welcomed four children into the family.   Greg loved spending time with the children, and made sure to spend lots of time with them when they were growing up.  Greg often played on the floor with all of them climbing all over him.  He built a climbing apparatus for them to play on, made ice rinks in the yard and put a pool in the yard, which he built a large deck around and put a slide on it.  With his grandchildren he was just as enthused, when they came to visit, he purchased a kid’s picnic table and small pool and huge kites that he flew with them at the park.  Greg loved to surprise the kids with a bag full of chocolate bars once in awhile, something he didn’t have much of as a child and wanted to make them happy.  He worked hard to give his children any opportunity he could, if there was any sport or interest any of them had he always encouraged and supported it.  From hockey, figure skating, dirt biking, Spanish lessons, fishing, it didn’t matter what it was.

As Greg’s career progressed, his job took the family to Ancaster, Ontario where Greg worked in Hamilton for Proctor and Gamble. The family made several moves, to Burlington, Belleville, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Campbellton, New Brunswick, Rothesay, New Brunswick, back to Welland and then back to Grande Prairie in 2000 to be closer to family.   

Greg had lots of hobbies in his lifetime, he enjoyed horseback riding, badminton, cross country skiing, running, art, sailing, fishing, camping, chess.   Once he gained an interest in something, he went into it fully. At one point he decided that he needed to improve on his public speaking, so he joined Toastmasters while living in Ontario, when he moved to Grande Prairie and there was not a Toastmasters group, he decided one should be started.  Greg and Norma started the Kakwa Toastmasters club, which is still going. 

If Greg took issue with anything in the community or government you could be sure to find a letter to the editor in the paper.  He had strong views and was never afraid to express them, but was open to others ideas and opinions.  As a result, a number of changes were made over the years in the communities he lived in. 

Greg is survived by his wife Norma, his sister Ann Simpson and brother Bob Wyborn, sister-in-law Lorna Brandstatter, children Gwen (Buzz) Volden, Brian Wyborn(Rebeca), Nanci (Keith) Anderson, Craig (Lorianne) Wyborn;  grandchildren Stacey (Barry),  Amanda (Dwight), Chelsea (Trevor) Jordan, Kierstin, Logan, Shelby,  Lexi,  Sydney, Jack, Van, Cecelia, Brianna, Kiara, Brian jr. , numerous nieces and nephews who live the world over and 9 great grandchildren. 

Greg was predeceased by his father Leonard, his mother Phyllis, his brother Ian, his cousin Phillip, who he thought of as a brother; brothers in law Hans Brandstatter and John Simpson and nephew Ted Brandstatter and Russell Wyborn.

Please join as for a celebration of Gregory’s life on Friday September 6^th at 1:00 pm at Forbes Presbyterian Church, 9635 76 Avenue, Grande Prairie, Reverend George Malcolm officiating. 

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, #306, 10430 61 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 2J3

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com