JOE BRYKSA

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• I am so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. My wife & I lived just down the street from Joe his wife Leah in La Salle. We would stop and talk to them when they walked their dogs. He was a very nice man who would help out whenever he can. Truly sad news. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. - Posted by: Tom & Susan (Former Neighbor ) on: Nov 22, 2021

• We were so sorry and shocked to read of Joe's passing. We were back-alley neighbours of Joe when he and his family lived on Queenston St. We had many a conversation in the lane with him over the years. Our condolences to his family. - Posted by: Eileen and George Lemay (neighbour) on: Nov 18, 2021

• In 1999, I spent one month at the Winnipeg Free Press as part of my practicum for SAIT. On my first day, I was given a simple assignment. As I was handing the film over to the team, one of the other photographers walked over and told me my photos were bad -- really bad. I was in shock and awe. I was staying with my grandmother while I was in Winnipeg, and I remember telling her how mad I was at this man. By morning, I had come to the realization that the photographer was right. I could do better. So I swallowed my pride and asked him what he would have done differently. He haphazardly gave me a few tips and I went off to my assignment. When I returned that afternoon. The same photographer came over and said, "Better, but you could have done this." So, I took his feedback, and the next day, I tried again. That same photographer came over and told me it was better. This went on all week, and on Friday afternoon, the photographer pulled me aside and told me he owed me an apology. He explained he's seen dozens of hotshot students on their practicums who thought they knew it all and didn't want any help, but he could see that I was different. He then gave me the chance of a lifetime -- he offered to mentor me. That photographer was Joe Bryksa. And he changed my life that day. I spent every minute I could at Joe's side over the next three weeks. He opened up doors and gave me opportunities I could never have imagined. On our first day with me as his shadow, we went "hunting for Daryl Hannah," who was in town for the premiere of Gods and Monsters. We didn't find her, but Joe took me to his favorite falafel place for lunch as a consolation prize. He gave me the chance to shoot my first cover photo using his cutting-edge digital camera, volunteered me for a photo spread with several political leaders in Pukatawagan, and sent me to shoot The Tragically Hip. When I stumbled upon an unplanned march on the legislature and the other photographers doubted if I could handle it myself, I heard Joe's voice over the radio telling them that if I said I could do it, then I could do it. One time, Joe took me with him to shoot the release of a major prisoner from Stony Mountain Institution. When we arrived, they told us there were two events that day, so Joe asked if I wanted to attend the other event -- he would meet up with me after. I'll never forget the look on his face when he found me four hours later in what he described "the bowels of the prison" hanging out with about four dozen plain-clothes prisoners. It was one heck of an experience, and it was all because of Joe. Joe was an inspiration. We didn't keep in touch after my month at the Free Press, but I think of him often and the lessons he taught me. The Joe I remember was a profoundly good, kind, honest, and caring person, and I hope he finds peace wherever he is now. - Posted by: Heather Hudak (Former Mentee) on: Nov 15, 2021

• Joe probably wouldn’t know me if we bumped into each other, but I met Joe several times over many years and have always admired his incredible skill and energy for communicating through film/photos. What I did see of Joe, and the brief moments I got to speak with him were a real please and inspiring for me. Sincerely. I looked up to him and a very select few other Winnipeg photographers who from afar help keep my own interest in photography alive and growing. Thank you Joe for helping us see stories, events, and people through your special lens. - Posted by: Brock Gunter-Smith (Admirer of Joe’s work) on: Nov 13, 2021

• My condolences to Joe's children and many friends. To know Joe was to appreciate the little details that took an everyday picture into a work of art. I will always remember his keen eye and love of the unconventional and also his willingness to make a case the his very best shot. I will never forget his energy and his commitment to Manitobans during the 1997 flood just as I will remember the great photo debates he had with his editor Jon Thordarson, another Free Presser we lost too soon. Rest in peace Joe. - Posted by: John Douglas (Former Free Press colleague ) on: Nov 13, 2021

• Joe went out with my sister when I was a teen. Our family fell in love with him and treated him like he was part of the family. He liked to come over and visit on his own without my sister and hang out with our parents and treated me like a little sister. I loved him as if he was my brother. He was so warm, caring, kind and such a great guy. He will always be a part of me and I will never forget him. I will love him always. I should of got him to somehow take a photo shoot of my family with him in it and of me and him together. I never asked him to take any pictures for me or give me any of his pictures with his signature on it so I could frame them. Never thought of it. I remember him talking about wanting a Free Press job while he worked at the Sun paper press. I was the proud little sis of him when he finally got his Free Press job and loved bragging how great of a photographer he was. Many great memories to his sister Laurie, kids and any other family members. Just remember he's taking pictures everywhere in heaven and hanging out with mom and dad. Maybe one day we'll find or see heaven pictures from him. Hugs to all of you and he will watch over all of us and love everything we say about him. His smiling face stays with me. Condolences to everyone. RIP JOE. Rachel - Posted by: Rachel cherwinski (Little sister) on: Nov 13, 2021

• I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to you and all of Joe's family. - Posted by: Lizette Lavallee (Friend of Laurie's ) on: Nov 13, 2021

• So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I always enjoyed working with Joe. It didn't matter if it was high school football, or throughbred horse racing at Assiniboia Downs. I always knew that his photography would be excellent and the highlight my story. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Allan Roy Besson (former co-worker in the Free Press newsroom) on: Nov 13, 2021