Donald Walter Gyr

Donald Gyr, 59, of Charlotte, NC passed away on July 9, 2025, after a brief illness. Born in Batavia, NY on November 15, 1965, he was the only son of Walter and Mary Gyr. Don was predeceased by his parents. Left behind to cherish his memories are his wife of 26 years, Lesley O'Connor; daughter Erin Gyr; sister Michele Gyr Guilfoos (Martin); and nieces Kristen Guilfoos and Andrea Glantz (Kyle).
Don was raised in Rochester, NY and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School and St. John Fisher University with a physics degree. Don was truly a Renaissance man, forever curious, just like his father Walter. His interests and talents were varied and broad. Karate was Don's first love. He began his karate journey in the 1980s in Rochester, NY. Don felt blessed to visit the homeland of Isshin-Ryu in Okinawa, Japan and reflected on that journey often. After receiving his Master rank in 2018, he went on to achieve the rank of Nana-Dan (7 th degree black belt) in June of 2024. Don assumed ownership of Carolina Isshin-Ryu Monroe and took immense pride in his students' accomplishments, both big and small. Don cherished the karate community, and it was of utmost importance to him. Don was also an accomplished musician. He joined the School of Rock in early 2025 and played lead guitar at a concert at the Visulite Theater in Charlotte in May. The sound of his music echoing throughout the house will be missed. Don was also an Advanced Scuba Diver and shared his love of diving with his daughter Erin. Don was a graduate of the Divers Institute of Technology in Seattle, WA and enjoyed a career as a commercial diver. While based in San Antonio, TX he worked for Oceaneering International in support of oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Don was a true family man, taking great pride in being a husband to Lesley and father to Erin. The three of them loved to travel, attend sporting events, go to concerts and spend time together. Don was very close to his sister Michele and brother-in-law Marty and their family. Whether it was celebrating holidays, cheering on their favorite sports teams or the annual Marty and Don golfing weekend, there was no shortage of laughter and smiles when the family got together. Don had a beautiful sense of life, a kind and compassionate attitude and touched everyone in his path. The world is a better place because he was in it.
The family will receive friends on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m.) at Heritage Funeral Home Weddington/Matthews location. (3700 Forest Lawn Drive, Matthews, NC 28104)
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC with Father Cahill Celebrant. Burial to follow at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue by visiting their website at https://cwrescue.org/donate