Maurice Frederick Tyler

Maurice Frederick Tyler, passed away on Sunday, November 14, 2021 , after a brief illness.  He was born April 19, 1933, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, son of Mauri Tuomala and Ellen Hanuska Tuomala. He had one sister, Rae Noot.  His parents and sister have preceded him in death.

Maurice attended public schools in the Vancouver area and graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1959, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. He worked in engineering, locating roads, timber cruising, management, and sawmill construction. He worked in Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Island, Northern and Interior British Columbia.

In 1975, at the age of 42, Maurice was appointed manager of a multi -million-dollar sawmill project that was constructed in New Augusta, Mississippi.  It became known as Leaf River Forest Products, a subsidiary of Kymi Kymmene, headquartered in Kuusankoski, Finland.

After completion of the sawmill, he chose to stay in the South and started a new career in industrial construction and painting, as an estimator and project manager.  He worked in Mississippi and Alabama for several companies until his retirement in 2003.

In high school, Maurice excelled in basketball, and as a young man he was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snow mobile racing.  When he moved to Mississippi, his favorite hobby was golf. He was an excellent photographer, and also enjoyed  gardening, reading, and bridge.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janet, of 42 years, sons, Randel and wife Roxanne, and Bradley and his fiancée, Joy Katkic, who live in Calgary, Alberta.  Bonus daughters, Stephanie Ryder and husband, Robert, Lake Charles, Louisiana, Rebecca McKinney and husband, Blaine, Fort Myers, Florida, and Mary Gwen Belvin, and husband, Robert, DeRidder, Louisiana.

He is the grandfather of twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, four nieces, and two nephews.

The family wishes to thank all the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospice for the excellent care of Maurice during his illness. Also, for the many prayers from friends.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 2:00 PM Monday, November 22, 2021 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.  Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate.  Inurnment will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation Monday will be from 1:00 PM until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may  be  made to  St. Jude’s Research Hospital and stjosephhospicefoundation.org.