Donald Joseph Barry

He will shine in our memory and illuminate the darkness of our loss.

Born in Edmonton June 23, 1931, Don died in Canmore May 30, 2014

Don was a man of uncommon strength, both physical and mental. A gifted athlete, he played high school and junior football and hockey (St. Joseph's High School, Maple Leafs Junior Football and Waterloo Maple Leafs Hockey). His professional football career was played entirely with the Edmonton Eskimos Football Club from 1952 to 1962 a period when the team played in 10 Western Finals and 5 Grey Cups, winning three. Retiring from the Eskimos he volunteered his time, knowledge and love of the game as a coach for Saint Anthony's College, the Edmonton Wildcats and the Edmonton Huskies. For 13 memorable years he was the Offensive Line Coach at the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Respected by his team mates, fellow coaches and players, Don was variously known as: the Duck, the Bear, Don Bear and Coach.

Don earned his living working for the City of Edmonton: 25 years with Edmonton Telephones and then 16 more with the Planning and Development Department, retiring as the Director of Development Co-ordination in 1991. Again, the measure of the man was the respect and fondness expressed to him by both his civic and industry colleagues when he left the City.

In addition to football, Don volunteered his time and expertise to the Commonwealth Games (1978), Universiad (1983), Provincial, National, World Cup and Paralympics at the Canmore Nordic Centre (1993-2005), as a host at Mount Norquay (1993-2008) and as a Trailminder, building and repairing mountain trails in his new home of Canmore.

Along with his Grey Cup winning Eskimo teammates from 1954/55/56 he was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and in 2010 he was inducted into the Edmonton Wall of Fame.

In his retirement Don remained physically active in Canmore with biking, hiking, downhill and cross- country skiing, white water and sea kayaking. He added golf to his repertoire and was the consummate dandelion picker although none made its way into our wine. He resumed his interest in art as a collector and painter of watercolours, taking classes with Donna Jo Massie and working with the Harvie Heights group. He remained a faithful member of the Curmudgeons

(a gentleman's organization) until his death.

The year 2009 brought an end to most of his physical activities but Don still found ways to explore, learn about and enjoy the world around him. "Play me Coach, I'm ready" was his mantra. However, while he accepted the normal vagaries of aging with grace, he did not

"go gentle into that good night".

Don was predeceased by his father John and mother Mary, nee Gillis, his brother John Osmond Barry (Anneke) and his sister Lois Lay.

Don will be sorely missed by Susan, his much loved and loving wife, helpmeet and companion in adventure for over 30 years. He is also survived by his children: sons, John (Gabi), Pat (Sandy), Andy (Karen), and James (Beverly) Barry; daughter Gina (Scott) Mead); and their mother Georgie; his grandchildren: Michael (Katie) and Daniel Barry; Megan (Edward) Kilmister; Landice, Kelty (Bryan), Joel, Kayla and Alyssa Barry, and Jessica and Mitchell Mead; two great-grandchildren: Eli and Isla Kilmister.

Funeral service for Don was held on Friday June 6, 2014 in Our Lady of the Rockies Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Canmore.

Friends wishing to remember Don may make a donation, in his memory, to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation, 1100 Hospital Place, Canmore T1W 1N2 or to the charity of their choice

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.