Barry Clarke

Barry Earl Clarke – Celebration of Life

Barry Clarke was born on July 15, 1940 in Toronto, Ontario to his Canadian parents, Margaret and Earl Clarke. He grew up with his two younger brothers, John and Ron.

After high school, Barry attended technical school and upon graduating, he secured a position with Avro Aircraft designing airplanes and aircraft parts. He worked at Avro until they cancelled the Arrow project, and then moved on to Massey Ferguson, CIL and eventually Chrysler in Etobicoke, where he spent the next 34 years of his career as a tool and die engineer. When Barry retired, he became self-employed and worked a few more years for a Chrysler contractor.

In 1959 at age 19, Barry’s best friend Wally introduced him to Barbara on a blind double date. They immediately hit it off and fell in love. For the next four years, they enjoyed dining out, going to drive-ins, visiting Niagara Falls and spending time at Wasaga Beach. Barry and Barb married in 1963 at Fairbank Presbyterian Church in Toronto. They honeymooned in Bermuda and spent the early years of their marriage travelling in New England, camping and enjoying each other’s company. Throughout their marriage, Barry would make time for private date nights, and take Barb out to dinner and sometimes dancing. They even took disco dancing lessons in the 1970’s! Steve was so embarrassed.

Barry bought their first and only family home in Brampton in 1966. In 1967, Barry and Barb gave birth to Paul Clarke and in 1970 to Steven Clarke. While Barb stayed home raising their two children, Barry provided for the household, and his wife and children greeted him every night at the front door when he got home. They always ate meals together, and Sundays were an extra special day when his family would play games downstairs after church, and have a proper formal dinner in the dining room. Every summer – in addition to a couple visits to Wasaga Beach – Barry took the family on a two-week family vacation to Shalimar Lake in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls, on the way home always treating them to a chocolate-dipped cone at Dairy Queen. Barry also treated his family to two grand vacations – one to Florida to Disneyland, Tarpon Springs and Cape Canaveral; and another for three weeks to the East Coast provinces and states. And, there were a few fishing trips, the Manitoulin Island adventure and the trip to Expo ’86 in Vancouver.

Both Barry and Barb celebrated the entire family at the annual Clarke family summer picnic and Christmas gathering, and many impromptu gatherings with Barb’s side of the family. Back in the day, Barry enjoyed stopping by at his parent’s place once or twice a week just to say ‘Hi’, spending a few New Year’s Eves with his brother Ron, and other moments and celebrations too many to name. He cherished his granddaughter Alexis and his grandson Cole and all the visits he had with them.

Barry’s devotion and commitment to his faith in God, and to all churches and church communities where he belonged was remarkable. Barry started teaching Sunday school at Fairbank Presbyterian Church in Toronto in his youth. And, in the fall of 1960, Barry learned about a new church in Weston called St. Stephen’s and started teaching there. He remained there for a couple of decades and involved his family in many church activities, including Sunday school, picnics, Bible camp, the choir, and the youth group. He eventually moved locally to the Brampton Church of the Nazarene and found great friendship and continued faith. For Barry, it was very important to respect church elders and teachers and to become a leader and respected himself.

Barry had many interests. He loved music. He would drive his young kids crazy with country music in the car, but he also enjoyed other artists, such as Neil Diamond, the Beach Boys, Gordon Lightfoot, and ABBA. He loved to read the newspaper every morning – even in our digital age – as well as magazines, books and Calvin & Hobbes.

Barry loved to design in his spare time. He completely designed and built the basement of his house, and landscaped the front and back yards several times over the years. Barry and Barb both had a strong passion for gardening, and planting many different types of plants and flowers, including roses and orchids. Both their flower and vegetable gardens drew praise from many.

Barry loved food and to cook. He wasn’t known to eat out a lot, but loved the Magic Pan, Big Boy and Steak & Burger (back in the day) and nowadays Swiss Chalet, and his ultimate favorite – The Mandarin buffet. He would go there every chance he had and would take his family there on special occasions. He made the best breakfasts, and always boasted that his barbequed ribs were the best. One of his biggest vices was stockpiling eggnog at Christmas time. If anyone knows what to do with a bunch of frozen eggnog, please let his sons know.

Barry was an avid game lover, including cards, board games, charades and croquet. He would get wild and silly, but it was all good fun. He was a very good winner and never hesitated to antagonize the losers – or other players if he was losing. We are sure some of you know what we mean.

Both Barry and Barb loved to travel. Although their favorite place was the Caribbean, over their lives they visited six continents and 42 countries. They wouldn’t like you to know that airport-only stops (such as Milan, Italy) didn’t count as a country visit, but Hawaii was so incredible, they counted it as its own country (and not part of America).

In February 2016, Barry experienced the greatest sadness of his life. After 57 years with his wife and joy in life, Barbara passed away. His sons, his church, friends and family all rallied around him in comfort. Barry found the courage to get out, join the Bramalea City Center Mall Walkers Club, meet new people, learn and play dominos, visit his brothers John and Ron, spend time with Paul, Alexis and Cole, and learn yoga. For the first time ever, Barry traveled to Texas to visit his son, Steve, and they celebrated Halloween in costume and in grand American style. He had the honor of carving the pumpkin, enjoyed being spoiled with southern hospitality, and gasped at large American meal portions. In 2016, Barry also decided to become a full member of his church and last month in early December, Barry became an official member of the Brampton Church of Nazarene.

This narrative is a mere snapshot of the life of a great man. A man of great spirit. A man who worked hard. A man, who loved, laughed, and lived. A man of great wit and humor. A thoughtful man, who cared and was generous and kind. A man without expectations. And a religious and spiritual man, who believed in the good in people, who forgave, and who spread hope and love. A life so full, fortunate and complete. And a man humbled enough to count his blessings.

Barry is survived by his two sons Paul and Steven; his grandchildren, Alexis and Cole, brothers John and Ron and many extended family members. We will miss everything about him, including his smile, his energy and laugh. He will live on forever in our memories. May his sweet soul be at peace and he now be re-united with his loving and endearing wife, Barbara.