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MICHAEL ARTHUR BYERS

FUNERAL HOME

CLOSED-Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin

1801 Novato Blvd

Novato, California

MICHAEL BYERS Obituary

Michael Arthur Byers September 11, 1946 ~ September 16, 2010 God took Michael into His light on Thursday September 16, 2010, at our home in Novato surrounded by his family. After a four year battle with cancer, he was deeply appreciative of the outstanding care from his doctors, including Timothy Murphy, Andrew Ko, James Ostroff, and the Pine Street Clinic. While fighting his disease, Michael stayed very active with his family and friends and always had a smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed the outdoors and golfing. He and Jane Scarbrough were committed parents to their four wonderful children. A native of Toronto, Michael played professional hockey with the NHL and WHA, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres. Michael played right wing with the New England Whalers when they won the World Hockey Cup in 1973. A memorial service for Michael will be held on Friday Sept. 24th at 2:00PM at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 333 Ellen Drive in San Rafael. In lieu of flowers, donations for the benefit of his children Matthew, Stephen, Scott, and Abbey Byers may be made to the Michael Byers Memorial Fund, 28 Presidio Drive, Novato CA 94949.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Marin Independent Journal on Sep. 24, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for MICHAEL BYERS

Sponsored by Jane Scarbrough.

17 Entries

Linda May Bell

March 21, 2019

Good bye cousin. I had such fun enjoying your hockey career vicariously, especially in TO. I enjoyed coming to meet your family in San Diego last century. I am still at the family farm. Enid has been gone three decades and Ron since 1997, the centennial of the farm house. Registered with Ancestry and would welcome any family connections.

March 18, 2012

As old timers, I truly enjoyed those times when we skated on the same line with the West Coasters as Mike continually gave me words of wisdom and support. He truly was a gentleman and will be missed. My sincerest condolences to his family.....
G. Steven

a great skater...

_ _

April 21, 2011

April 5, 2011

A solid member of one the Marlies great teams

Rob and Norma Roberts (Byers)

February 13, 2011

We miss Michael but he is now at peace after four years fighting cancer. It is sad to lose Michael, a kind, talented hockey player, and a lovely person.

David Roberts

February 9, 2011

My mother was very close to Michael (she used to babysit him) and she often told beautiful stories about him. As a lifelong hockey fan, I wish I could have seen him play. He is missed every day by our family.

February 9, 2011

I regret we lost touch with each other after so many years of good fun together. I hope his family is well, always.
Bob Christie
Sausalito, CA

Jim Jones

November 18, 2010

As a neighbor of Mike and his younger brothers

Rick Curran

November 17, 2010

As an impressionable young hockey player back in 1963, I was introduced to Mike as a classmate of my Uncle Jim's. My brother and I happened to be at The Gardens that Sunday afternoon when Mike was called to play his first game with The Toronto Marlboros and we were thrilled because we felt like we (kind of) really knew him. Later that year he came to our year end team party. He was so nice talking with us kids and our parents, he became the person we all aspired to be. Although we lost track over time, for a period of three or four years, Mike Byers had more positive influence on a couple of dozen young hockey players than he could have ever imagined and I for one will always be grateful.

David Machael Darby (Byers)

November 10, 2010

I have always been proud of my fathers hockey accomplishments. I only wish that I could have gotten to know the man better. I always thought that we would meet again later in life. I think he would have enjoyed meeting his 4 grandaughters.

I was truly saddened by the news of Michaels passing. May he rest in peace.

My condolences to Michaels immediate family and friends.

stephen byers

October 11, 2010

i was sitting about five rows back of the players' bench in '67 as "Punch" Imlach paused his worried pacing to reach out and press on Michael's shoulder... the signal for Michael to begin his professional hockey career.

he was over the boards, on the ice and in position... within a minute, the puck was on his stick as he manoeuvred past a defenceman to find the slot.

in net was Hall of Famer Ed Giacomin...
Vezina Trophy winner and that year's
NHL First All-Star Team goalie.

i watched Michael bend into his wrist shot that had proved so successful against me and others in so many road hockey games...

i rose to my feet cheering, laughing, relieved for him... a goal, his goal... had been realized.

i love you, Michael...

stephen

Karen Deyhle

September 30, 2010

Back in the 60's, my family lived just up the street from the Byers' house. I was a school friend of Michael's youngest brother, Stephen. As an American living in Canada, I learned to enjoy hockey, and I remember seeing Michael play a few times. Later we happened to move next door to Brad Park, so I followed both of their hockey careers. I haven't lived in Toronto for many years now, but I remember Michael just the way he looks in his Maple Leaf jersey here.

I was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago, so I feel closer now to anyone who has struggled with that. I am saddened to hear of Michael's passing, and send my condolences to the family.

Karen Hostetler Deyhle

Elizabeth Scarbrough

September 26, 2010

I was blessed to have Michael in my life and in my family for the past 29 years. While I have to confess that I don't know much about hockey (try as he might, Michael was never able to educate me beyond the basics, and I'll always love him for his patience with me), we all loved to hear the stories he'd tell and watch him skate. I can't imagine anyone more graceful and agile on the ice. Watching him skate just a year or two ago with two of his kids...I laughed till I cried as Michael easily evaded the determined pursuit of his enormous and youthful sons. He was an amazing man... warm and wise, playful and loving, and devoted to his family. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives.

Marilyn Byers

September 25, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. We were always so proud of Michael. Photos are lovely.
May he rest in peace Amen.
Marilyn Pat Byers...Toronto, Ontario Canada [email protected]

Brad Park

September 24, 2010

Sorry to hear of your loss, I played Junior with Mike, he was one of the finest skaters I ever saw, I used to follow him in practice every day to improve my own skating! Believe when I tell you it worked

Rosa Albor

September 24, 2010

Michael was a great man and he will be loved and missed always.

Paul McGinnis

September 24, 2010

Michael was a great man. He will be missed.

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