Byron Jonathan Porritt

Many thanks to the caring and dedicated professionals who cared for him not only during these last weeks in hospice, but also through his long and difficult battle with cancer over the last five and a half years.

Byron was an amazing man who was loved by so many. Family and friends alike will miss him greatly. Byron was the loving and faithful husband to Caroline and very proud father of Jackson and Katherine who will remember their dad for their “adventures” together and his constant love and encouragement. He loved to travel as a family and was always up for something that might “sound a little crazy”.  

Byron was the first child born to Stanley and Donna Porritt. He was born in Comox, BC and longed to return to a life by the ocean someday. He often commented that “saltwater is in my blood.” Byron is also survived by his siblings Clinton (Jennifer), Andrea (Calvin) and Derek (Sarah). Byron was son in law of Ed and Dinie Haasdyk and brother in law to Fred (Sheila), Julie, James (Noreen) and Glen (Teresa). Crazy Uncle Byron will also be remembered and missed by his nieces and nephews Bradley, Jennifer, Michael, Liam, Connor, Brinn, Alaythea, Maia, Haye, Benjamin, Michael, Samuel, Joshua, Ember, Zao and Moss. Over the years Byron was also proud to  be “Uncle” to so many other kids and loved to teach Sunday School and babysit. He was also part of a wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. 

Byron was predeceased by his Grams,  Edna Porritt Ditchuk and his Grandpa Harold Lindahl as well as beloved Uncle Ken Lindahl. 

Born on Vancouver Island, his family returned to Alberta in 1981, spending time in Wetaskiwin and Gwynne but mainly settling in Three Hills where Byron attended Prairie Elementary and Junior High Schools before graduating from Prairie High School in 1993. He has many life-long friends from those years that he was always glad to keep in touch with through the years. It was also during this time that he developed a love of missions and served in various short term missions teams to Australia and Mexico. After graduation Byron spent a year at Mount Carmel Bible college in Edmonton and enjoyed getting to live with his Grams. 

From Edmonton Byron moved with his family to Echo Lake Bible Camp near Vanderhoof BC. and after that moved to Kelowna to start a business with friends. It was in Kelowna that Byron met Caroline, and they were married March 13, 1999. Together they lived in Kelowna and Langley before settling in Calgary where Byron worked for both Starbucks and Simpson Strong-Tie - places he loved because of the people he got to work with and serve. 

Byron loved to be a part of Church in the Hills in Calgary, taking opportunities to serve in many different capacities and looking forward to being with his church family each week to serve and connect with others. 

5 and a half years ago Byron was diagnosed with cancer and we found out shortly afterwards that is was not going to be curable. In true Byron fashion he decided not to feel sorry for himself and decided instead that he was going to be intentional about how he spent his remaining time. There was very little complaining, just a desire to invest what he had left into that which was most important to him: Faith, Family and creating a legacy of thankfulness. He was passionate about being generous, about simplifying life and about caring for people. 

Several years ago Byron wrote a book called “Thank You For . . . “. His intention was to pass on an attitude of thankfulness for the little things in life to the next generation. Many years passed but finally in July of this year his dream came true and he was able to see his book in printed form and being enjoyed and appreciated by people in all areas of the world.  

Byron will be deeply missed by all of us. The impact of his life and legacy are felt by more people than he could ever have imagined. Our hearts are hurting, but at the same time we are thankful that he is no longer in pain, and that his body is once again whole and strong. 

Donations in Byron’s memory will be gratefully accepted by Heritage Christian Academy in Calgary and by Mt Carmel Bible College in Edmonton. 

The family asks that you please take a moment to share your favorite memories and photos of Byron at memoriesofbyron@gmail.com to help his kids remember their daddy. 

Byron’s memorial service will be held on Wednesday September 9 in Calgary at Dalhousie Church (5511 Baroc Road NW).