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Douglas Barry

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Barry, Douglas William, Franklin

July 5, 1942 - October 31, 2016

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Douglas William Franklin Barry  AKA: Doug, db, VE7 WLF, VE7 TP, Dad, GrandPaw, Old Wolf.     

Doug passed away suddenly after surgery in Royal Columbian Hospital. His loving wife, Irene, was at his side as he left this world to run free with the other Spirit Wolves through the trees, under the moon and stars.

He is survived by his wife Irene, sons James and his wife Sheila, Grant and his wife Christine, his stepdaughter Jeassea and grandchildren Makayla, Victoria, Kate, Zack and stepgrandchildren Heather, Brent, Derrick, Branden and Steven, and a virtual army of friends and colleagues.

            Born in Vancouver, and later moving to Burnaby, he attended Nelson Avenue Elementary, McPherson Park Junior High and finally, Burnaby South Senior High where he graduated in 1961. Here he found a love of music (Big Band was his favorite, Glen Miller in particular) and took up the clarinet, becoming quite an accomplished musician.             During that time, he was in Air Cadets for five years where he earned a flying scholarship, acquiring his pilot license at 17. His first solo flight was July 16, 1959.

            In 1962, Doug joined the Seaforth Special Militia Training Program for 6 weeks. Smokey Smith (Victoria Cross) was his platoon sergeant.

            From 1963 to 1965 Doug worked at Canadian Pacific Air: two years in Maintenance Planning then Flight Operations his last year. In 1964 Doug was involved from the start with the Pacific Flying Club, Member #6.

After being laid off from CPA, Doug worked for the BC Liquor Board for 3 years. About halfway through his time there, he attended a meeting at the Pacific Flying Club where guest speaker Bill Schankland gave a talk about Air Traffic Control.  Doug said to himself  “I want to do that!”.

       Once the meeting was over, Doug spoke with Bill for an hour and a half. Doug spent the next year and a half visiting the Winch building on Hastings every week to find out if an ATC competition was out.

       In 1969 he applied, was accepted and completed 6 weeks of indoctrination. After the classroom, he attended an airshow at YXX (Abbotsford) where he witnessed his first crash, a Mustang executing a snap roll into the ground. He graduated from ASTS course #39 in Ottawa February 13, 1970.

            A few days after returning home he drove to YXS (Prince George) and was checked out (Grade 2) on May 5, 1970. In addition to working as a full time Controller, Doug worked part time at the tanker base loading fire bombers with Fire-Trol.

            Doug welcomed his first son, James on June 28th of that year.

            July 14th, 1971, Doug moved his family to YXX (Abbotsford) where he was promoted to Grade 3 after checking out on August 2nd. Less than a year later, in late March of 1972 Doug started at YVR (Vancouver) and was again promoted (to Grade 4, the highest in the tower at that time), and checked out on June 19th, 1972.

            Doug welcomed his second son, Grant on December 31st, 1972.

            From July 1981 Doug worked as an Instructor for 4 years, then trained in the Centre for one year before returning to the Tower in October 1986 where he stayed until his retirement in 2003.

            Doug had always taken an interest in his community, volunteering his time to many organizations and bringing his sons along with him, or helping out in whatever they participated.

            He became the Assistant District Commissioner at Scouts Canada and remained a Member At Large. It was here he instilled a love of Nature in his sons, taking them on many camping trips around BC.

            He stepped up to the plate to take on Coaching roles for his boys' baseball teams. Here he taught them about Sportsmanship, Fair Play, Respect for one's opponent and that one should be as Graceful in Victory as one is in Defeat.

            When James and Grant moved on to Navy League and Sea Cadets, Doug showed them examples of Patriotism, Loyalty, Duty, Honour and Dignity. He soon joined the Civilian Committee for the Richmond/Delta Branch of Navy League of Canada and went on to serve as Branch President for one year.

            Doug (VE7WLF) and James (VE7LZR) earned their Amateur Radio Licenses together in 1993. By 1994, Doug was volunteering for the Surrey Emergency Program for Amateur Radio.

            While working at Vancouver International Airport, he met the love of his life, Irene.  On December 20th, 2002, on the shores of Eternity Beach in Hawai'i, they were wed.

            After retirement, Doug gave his time generously to his community. A tireless volunteer, he helped with radio communications for The Celebration of Light, Rotary Bike-A-Thon, The New Westminster Hyack Parade, Run For Life, Terry Fox Run, Ladner May Parade, Delta Triathlon, Tour de Delta and, of course, The Abbotsford Air Show.

            Doug truly enjoyed amateur radio, joining the Delta Amateur Radio Society and was the Club President at the time of his passing.

            Doug was very involved with CASARA (Civil Air Search and Rescue Association), became the Emergency Radio Coordinator for the Delta Emergency Program, acted as a Coordinator for North Delta Community Crime Watch and was a member of VECTOR – Vancouver Emergency Community Telecommunications Organization.

            He also volunteered with the Boundary Bay Airshow and Operation Red Nose.

            Through his volunteering with Delta Police Department, he came to value his association with Tsawwassen First Nation, attending several events there and loving every moment. It can be said the people of TFN were very dear to his heart.

            Somewhere in all this activity (“I'm busier since I retired!” he'd joke), Doug had time for his passions: Music, golf, art (did you know he loved to paint?) and one of his first loves, photography. He considered a camera to be a 'must have' fashion accessory and was very rarely seen without one.

            The Barry Family wishes to express our gratitude to all who knew and loved Doug, and for all your kind expressions of sympathy. He cherished his friendships dearly.  If you wish to honour his memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to O.W.L (owlcanada.org), BC SPCA (spca.bc.ca), Nature Canada (naturecanada.ca), or volunteer some of your time to a community event or organization.

Doug will always be remembered as a true gentleman and a gentle man.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at Boundary Bay Airport, 7616 Montreal St., Delta, BC on November 27, 2016 at 1400 hours.

Condolences

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Pages: 12

From: Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre Staff

Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.

From: Trev Batstone

My sincere condolences to the family. Although I only had the pleasure of meeting Doug on one occasion, we were connected on a couple of social media platforms as we shared and experienced similar interests, those being amateur radio operators, aviation enthusiasts, and being avid photographers. Doug offered me his sincere support when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. He was a true gentleman and a friend who is already deeply missed by myself. Rest in peace my friend. Blue skies..

From: Mike Giovinazzo
Relation: YVR Control Tower

Doug knew so much of our aviation history and also was one of the Controllers from the days when they really knew how to move so many aircraft with such limited technology. Honoured to have known Doug.

From: Ted Ritchot
Relation: Friend and co worker ATC

Doug was one of a kind. He was a kind and generous person and I am grateful to have known him. My condolences go out to his family.

From: Alana Aspinall
Relation: Bicknell alumni

Gentle prayers and warm hugs to the family.
Condolences to James, Grant and Irene – and of course any other family & friends

My heart is fuller having known Mr Barry for some time in my teen years. Long after I left the Bicknell family, I have often thought of his gentle words of wisdom and guidance. He assisted me in becoming a better person. Thank you Mr Barry… so very much for all you did.

May your journey to Creator’s side be swift, may those in mourning be provided with all they need to find their new normal, and those traveling to pay their respects be protected along their way.

RIP Mr Barry… you truly were a grand man.

From: RobFalconer
Relation: Coworker, friend

I have always appreciated how Doug was always looking out for others. His care was always first… be it for controlling airplanes, to asking how things were going and always taking interest in what you were doing, as well as very willing to get involved. He sure has my respect.
My condolences to family and friends.
You are very missed Doug… blessings on you way now.

From: Alain Chabot & Lorene Benoit
Relation: cousins

Sorry that we did not know Doug, but so glad that you got 14 wonderful years with Doug. We know how much fun you two had together; we could see it in your smiles.
All the best wishes of recovery for all family members affected by his physical loss. You will always still have him in your hearts and minds.

From: Bob Cristofoli VA7BJC
Relation: Friend

Both Betty and I would like to send our sincere and deepest condolences to Doug’s family and friends. In 2011, Doug (Wolf) took me under his wing with Amateur Radio, photography and community involvement, which included Operation Red Nose, where Doug and I drove many people and their vehicles home, after a night of partying. We formed a close and special bond and friendship, and we even shared a great love for wolves. Even though I don’t drink coffee (which he always ribbed me about), we enjoyed meeting up for coffee/tea, lunch, going out taking photographs, or just talking on the phone. Doug will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. It’s time to hang up your microphone Doug – VE7WLF/VE7TP will never be forgotten. As Billy Joel says in a song, “only the good die young”. You were a true gentleman, mentor, teacher, friend, confidant and leader. Rest in Peace my dear friend and thank you for always being there for me and all that you taught me. I am honoured to have been your friend – 73

From: Dave Howell
Relation: Friend and am. radio club member

Met Doug when I joined our Delta Radio Club. He was surprised at how many former air traffic controllers I knew and asked how do you know all these guys having never worked at that trade. He was a great guy and did so much for our Delta community working with the first responders etc. It will be most difficult to even come close to filling his shoes. RIP Doug. Condolences to the family.

From: kamaljit kaila
Relation: co-volunteer

So sad to hear 🙁
RIP

Pages: 12

Service Schedule

  Funeral Service

Date & Time:
November 27, 2016
Beginning at 2:00pm

Location:
Boundary Bay Airport
7616 Montreal St.
Delta, BC Canada

7616 Montreal St.
Delta, BC Canada

Memorial Gifts

Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted to:

O.W.L (owlcanada.org), BC SPCA (spca.bc.ca), Nature Canada (naturecanada.ca), or volunteer some of your time to a community event or organization.
 

Thank You Notice

Send Flowers

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604-596-6766
http://www.alltymesflorist.ca

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