Byrun Shandler

March 6, 1950 - January 10, 2023
"It's all good."
Byrun Shandler (née: Brian Cavanagh) died of heart failure on January 10, 2023 at his home in Dawson City, Yukon. It had long been Byrun's wish that he would pass away in the home that he had built.
Byrun was born on March 6, 1950 in Edmonton, Alberta; he was the second child of Marthe and Bernard Cavanagh. The family followed his father's assignment as Flight Lieutenant for the Canadian Air Force to Quebec where, in 1958, Byrun's mother died giving birth to her sixth child. Byrun's father gave up his career and relocated to Trout Lake in East Vancouver where he raised his six young children; Dianne (10), Byrun (8), Annette (6), Darrell (4), Kevin (1) and baby Keith.
To help with family expenses Byrun transitioned into the work force early, taking his first job at the David Hunter Garden Centre where he worked part-time throughout his high school years. He had a love of all things green and growing from an early age and a strong work ethic. In high school he also grew interested in art and music and was a member of the York Theatre Company. Byrun spent two years studying at Langara College before moving to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island for a job. Not long after, at the age of 21, he made his way north to the Yukon where he embraced the wild frontier and the colourful society and where he would build his grand log home in Dawson City and remain for the rest of his life.
In Dawson Byrun held a variety of jobs from raft guide to ferry deckhand and from custodian to maintenance supervisor for Parks Canada. He was instrumental in the formation of the Dawson City Music Festival and the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture. He sat on City Council and on the Board for the Recycling Depot.
Byrun's close encounter with death in 2016 gave him a second lease on life. Afterwards he would proclaim from street corners and grocery aisles that "every day above ground is a good day." A simple message to open our hearts and take what joy we can from every day.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Byrun beginning at 1pm on June 24th at his home in Dawson City.
All are welcome. The following day his ashes will be scattered over the Klondike River and around the birch trees on his property.