THANK YOU!! All for the memory's!
Please continue to share the amazing stories of my Dad! I know there is a ton more:) 
We all miss you Pops❤️
Love ya Spud 

Deb, our sincerest condolences to you and the family. Here is a small memory from me that didn't get shared at that wonderful service: Al was a regular part of our home in Cadboro Bay when I was a young guy. Deb was very close friends with my sisters Lynne and Cindy, so I assume that her being there with them alot may have had something to do with it! He quickly became like part of the family, and definitely knew where to regularly come for a good Sunday dinner with us all. He was about 8 years older than me, 6 years older than my brother Monty, and he seemed to pretty quickly get moved into big brother status by us. Mom trusted him totally with both of us under his care. One adventure that has stuck with me for many years was the day hike we three did in Goldstream Park. This was back in the early 1970’s when I was around 10 years old I guess, and Mom once again let us set off with him for a hike into the hills. We actually climbed the side of Little Niagara Falls, made our way over the top of the falls with Al straddling the falls and passing me over. I still have a hard time believing we did that. We hiked up the river for hours and saw spots I have never again seen. It was amazing. It was on our return that things went sideways. Al straddled the falls again to get me across, and when he passed me across I must have stumbled a bit. With no concern for himself he immediately lunged for me, pushed me onto safe ground, then started to slide. He actually went over the edge, sliding down the face of the cliff until his fingertips, and I do mean fingertips, caught a tiny ledge a few feet down and stopped his slide. Terrifying for us to watch. Somehow, he pulled that big body of his back up over the top and all he was worried about was if I was ok. Fingertips bloody and sliced up, almost went down the falls, and all he was concerned about was if I was ok. Quite a man, and I am very lucky to have known him.  





     The last time I saw Debbie and Al, I was struck by how they were still a perfect match height wise, as she leaned in to give him a kiss....that is when he was sitting and she standing!  I will always see them as the teenagers they were the summer Al came into our lives.      I am pretty sure he didn't arrive from Newfoundland in his big green boat of a car, but that is how I picture him.  Arm out the window. pipe clenched in teeth and music blaring from his 8 track.  Of course not rock for Al.....Charlie Pride.  When he did give in to our haranging it was the Beach Boys.   That was the year he discovered Deb as well as our family.   Especially our Mum and her welcoming kitchen...and Mum discovered Al.  He was honest and trustworthy - a safe haven for her "straining at the bit" teenagers.  Through out that long summer Al would pull up to the house in the evening  "come on girls" as we piled in the car, Deb snuggled up close to him,  someone with 50 cents for gas and off we would go - usualy home by curfew time.                                                                                                                           Even as an 18 year old Al was very clear on what would make him a happy man  -  Beautiful wife, family, house, huntin',  fishin', and cars.     You got it all my friend.   Our world will be a little bit colder without you.   Love from Lynne

I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Al, he truly was such a wonderful person. I looked forward to his yearly visits to Newfoundland. When I was a child it was so exciting to have family come from far away, and I remember he would spend so much time with us and make videos of us for my mom so she could look back at us as children. That meant alot to her I know.
Even as a teenager I would still love to sit and listen to his stories about Aunt Deb, Erin, Amanda and Luke....and Duke.
I remember 2 specific times in my life with Uncle Al, the 1st was the last weekend I spent with him in Newfoundland, Myself, Uncle Al, Uncle Ron, And Aunt Ce  went to the cabin for the night, we had such a great time, he told so many stories, we laughed and we also sang Karaoke, which is a sight to see.
The 2nd has been since I lived here in Nova Scotia, and he had a few hours on a layover and I went to see him, we sat and have a lovely meal together, he spoke of Aunt Barb and what she ment (she had recently passed) but we also spoke of everyone home and even made fun of a few of the uncles...lol
Uncle Al was such a mans man, but his heart was as big as a mountain. The world is a smaller place in his absence. My condolences to you all.
Amanda

Sending my deepest condolences sadly we had our last visit with Al in the superstore parking lot Carl sitting in my car and Al sitting in his car  stareing at each other while the wives were picking stuff up in the store as i was returning to the car Al managed to get out of his and called me by name as soon as I heard his voice I new who it was but I didnt reconize him he had lost so much weight I managed to get Carl out of our car so they could have a visit thats where we found out how sick Al really was. they gave each a big hug and we went our seperate ways. I lost Carl a week before we lost Al knowing what kind of jokesters these two could be they probably are causing all kind of havok in heaven.No more pain or suffering rest in peace Al.

Deb and the Byrne Family,
We`re sorry to see Big Al go. Our memory will be of Al at the local car shows. He was always happy pleasant to talk to. He will be missed.
Janet and Lawrie Wilkins

Deb, sometimes there are just no words to say or express those things that are deepest in our hearts. I am wishing you comfort & strength in the days ahead. 
Amanda, Erin & Luke, 
Special memories of your Dad will forever live in my heart. While nothing is harder than saying good-bye to someone you love,may the three of you & your children find strength and comfort knowing that your Father will be a part of you forever
With love & friendship always-


I’ve been thinking lots about you, Deb. About all of you. I was not sure on the words I wanted to use, words that would be enough to convey what your family has always meant to me, about what to share and what to keep as my own memories. I spent many years in and out of your home, sleepovers, holidays, birthdays .... and lots of time when I should have been in class (!). Al was always ready and willing to take Amanda and I for lunch when we should have been in school :) but what really been on my mind is this,  I’ve only been married 15 years and I can’t even imagine. Too many cliches and words you’ve heard a thousand times come to mind, so I won’t repeat. But, really, the part that hits me, and that keeps coming back to me, is that I can’t imagine what it feels like to be loved for that long, for over 46 years. Amazing.  All my love to you and the family. ❤️

Dear Deb and Family, I am at a loss for words.  My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to you all.  Al was a wonderful teddy bear of a man!
Lotsa Love Bev

All of my summer memories as a kid are because of the camping trips spent out at caycuse with our summer family. Too many great stories to list, but he will be missed. Sending you all love and hugs❤️❤️❤️

Where will I find big enough words to describe Al’s monumental influence in the raising of my sons Jeff & Dan...?  They would not be the incredible men they have grown to become without his heart & humour & the many Cowichan adventures spent with Al, Deb, and of course their other partner in crime 😜 Lucas James...  How do you thank a mountain for being that mountain.   Thanks big guy from the depths of my soul❤️ 


A big man with a big heart filled with compassion.  You will be very much missed.  Our condolences to Deb and all the family.


Al was our nephew and will always have a special place in our hearts.
When someone we love departs, 
In memory we find
Their song plays on within the hearts
Of those they leave behind

Aunt Ann & Uncle Ron 

Dear Debbie,  Amanda, Erin ad Luke. ( this note is also included in a card for you but I wanted to include it here)

I am so very sorry I can’t be at the service for Al. I was hoping he would be able to wait for me to return from South America so I could be part of saying goodbye with all of you. Sadly this wasn’t’ the case and he couldn’t hang on long enough. For his sake however I am grateful that he didn’t linger too long.

While you are saying your goodbyes I will be saying my own. I will cry a little, laugh a little and remember him as a great husband father, grandfather and jokester.  Most of all I will thank him for including me in your family.

My thoughts, sorrow and hope for better times are with you. Take care of each other

Erie (me)

I will always remember Al calling me dear,  it was so endearing and made me feel very young, about the same age as  his daughters, even though I was maybe only a year or two younger then Al....thank you Al for those moments of feeling young again.  Al loved his home and being at home the most but he would always encourage Debbie to go out and have fun with me.....I remember him always saying you two go out and have a good time......and he meant it. Thank you Al for sharing your Debbie with me.


Dear Amanda, Philip, and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved father and grandfather. Sending you love and caring at this difficult time.
Kate, May, Ben & Gabe xo

I was very sad to hear the news of Al’s passing and it breaks my heart for Deb, Erin, Amanda, Luke and their families.
I’ll always remember Al as a big, kind Teddy Bear devoted to Deb and his kids and grandkids.
The world has lost a good, kind and loving man!

When I first met Al around 1971 I didn’t know much about him other than he loved my sister , he was from Newfoundland, he drove a big convertible and he was passionate about hunting and fishing. Deb and Al seemed to be a perfect match. Both had very long hair. Both loved to be with each other. Both really didn’t care to go to school. This likely didn’t sit well with Mom and Dad. I didn’t hear much about their relationship. They rarely hung out at our place. They were determined to be a couple no matter what mom and dad did or thought. But what I did hear made my ears perk up. The two of them really wanted to be with each other alone. So One weekend Deb decided that she was going to a sleepover with one of her friends. She thought she had convinced mom and dad that this was the case. Little did I know that the one of her friends turned out to be Al They thought that they could go camping at Goldstream Park without anyone knowing. No one that is except Dad. I can’t really remember what tipped him off or how he even found them.  Well I wasn’t privy to the consequences once Mom and Dad found out. I really didn’t want to know.  There was a lasting tension in the air for quite awhile. This was about the same time they found out Deb was not going to school and was hanging out with al and done friends. 
Kathy and I were planning our wedding and little did we know that Deb and Al were too Along with my little sister Pat the three of them had other plans in mind for Kathy and I. I don’t really remember how they found out but somehow they knew what hotel Kathy and I were staying in for our honeymoon. We could hear them hooting outside. They were tying garbage bags onto our bumpers. The three of them also planted some wonderful surprises in our car vents. We were going to California for our honeymoon where the weather was very hot that summer. I turned our fans on and both of us were showered with confetti. It went everywhere. Who could we point fingers at. Deb and Al

My father was a proud self made hard working mountain of a man that always told you what he was thinking. 
He raised 3 kids and ALWAYS made sure we had everything we needed and that we were always safe.
He also did a lot for others and asked nothing in return. 
I will cherish all the time spent going to work with him , camping at caycuse  as well as the hunting trips and at car shows together:) 
He is with his Duker dog now high on a mountain top somewhere still keeping an eye on us. 
We love you Pops.  

One of the Kindest people I knew  He will be greatly missed.  My deepest condolences to his Family 

OBITUARY

Allan James Byrne

November 15, 1953 – December 18, 2019

First Memorial Funeral Services & Garden of Memories

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