Bryan Edward Parker

Born ~ August 28, 1948

Date of Passing ~ July 22, 2025

Surrounded by loved ones, Bryan Edward Parker died unexpectedly in Health Sciences Centre’s intensive care unit in Winnipeg, Manitoba, following surgeries, in his 77th year.

Born at Treherne, MB, Bryan was the youngest of four. He enjoyed summer visits to family in Madsen, ON, and attended Treherne Collegiate. As a teen and young man, Bryan was an accomplished figure skater and competed in tournaments. His grandmother, Flora Stevenson Parker, was his closest confidant. It was to her that he came out as gay when he was a teenager. For a ‘proper, God-fearing’ society woman born in 1873 to wholeheartedly accept Bryan was remarkable. She told him he was perfect just the way he was. He missed her for the rest of his life.

After leaving home to join the working world, Bryan was a baker in Gillam, MB. He later settled in

Winnipeg and worked as a waiter at Hy’s Steakhouse and as maître d’ at the Carlton Club.

His life changed when he got a job as a waiter at Gio’s Club and Bar, then became manager from the 1980s-2000. Bryan was the club’s longest-serving manager (at three of its four locations). He worked tirelessly to provide 2SLBGBTQ+ people with a safe space and to organize events weekly for years. Bryan received the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society’s inaugural Citizen of the Year Award in 1998.

Bryan moved to Artemis Housing in 2006 and was its long-time vice-president. He enjoyed being a Fort Rouge Legion member and even won first prize at their Halloween party. Bryan loved cooking, dining out, shopping, TV and the latest technology. He overcame many challenges and always said that tomorrow was another day.

He is survived by one niece, three nephews, cousins, treasured friends, and his cat, Blondie. Bryan was especially close to his cousin, June, and her family. He was predeceased by his former partner, Lawrence Vermette (1995) whom he nursed throughout Larry’s devastating battle with AIDS. Bryan was also predeceased by his parents, Florence Helen Brooking (1977) and Robert Parker (1985) and siblings: Doreen Pelletier, Belleville, ON (2006), Robert, Cochenour, ON (1993) and Patricia Scorgie, Vancouver (1996).

The funeral for Bryan Parker will be held at Young United Church, 222 Furby Street, Winnipeg, on

Saturday, August 9, 2025, with visitation from 1:30 p.m. until service time. Rev. Tim Crouch will officiate. Reception will follow the funeral. Ash interment will take place in the family plot at Bethel

Cemetery in Treherne, Manitoba, on Thursday, August 28, 2025 (Bryan’s birthday).

Sincere thanks to June Greenland, Tom Johnson, Bob Hiebert and Artemis neighbours, Quinn Hunter (Hunter Funerals), Rev. Tim Crouch, Young United Church, Rick Zerbe Cornelsen, Dr. Andrew Lodge, HSC, Home Care, Dr. Allen Kimelman, Jay Rich, Bud Coyston, Glenn Brown, Chris Lucas Ross Lent, Herb Neufeld, and Victor Escobar Valle.

Donations to Artemis Housing Co-op or Young United Church would be appreciated. For further

information, please contact: archivesguyredlake1926@gmail.com