Suddenly at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener on April 21, 2022, just two days shy of his 51st birthday, every one to be counted and celebrated.
Lance was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure at the age of four and endured dialysis and countless operations for over a year before a successful kidney transplant gave him the “gift of life” at the age of five. Another transplant at the age of 12 allowed him to enjoy life, work and travel for more 28 years.
Lance travelled to transplant games in England, Australia, France, Sweden, and many locations in the U.S. and Canada, making lifelong friends along the way. His favourite pastime was attending concerts, and he visited cities all over North America to see his favourite band “Scorpions." He picked up t-shirts at every venue and gathered quite a collection.
Lance also enjoyed sports. He was not able to play contact sports, but he was a huge fan and was great at organizing the office football pools and picking the winners in various other contests. He spent his entire life collecting sports cards. During the last 10 difficult years, Lance looked forward to October and the Tim Hortons hockey card blitz. He especially liked the time spent with his dad opening all those packages and organizing the cards into binders.
Lance lived his own life and made his own choices. He had many good years. He was on dialysis for the last 10 years and suffered many setbacks, but he never gave up hope that the future would be brighter and he never complained about the hand he had been dealt. Lance was a gambling man, and although he never hit it rich in the lottery, he beat the odds many times in the game of life.
Lance relied heavily on our medical system and the hardworking doctors and nurses who cared for him. They are the heroes of his story.
Lance was the loved son of George and Diane Tyszka and loving older brother of Holly (Giuseppe). He will be missed by his uncle Barry McNinch (Wendy) and his cousin Evelyn McNinch (Chris), as well as his uncle Gene Tyszka (Peggy) and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his brother Wyatt in 1995 and by his grandparents, Ted and Phyllis McNinch and Frank and Jessie Tyszka. He also leaves behind his best friend and adored cat, Ajax.
In memory of Lance, please consider donating to your local hospital.
There will be a visitation at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Lance will be interred in May at Farnham Cemetery, Arkell, where he will rest beside his younger brother, Wyatt.