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BARRIE NORRIS CURRIE
Born: Jan 24, 1932
Date of Passing: Oct 07, 2005
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryBARRIE NORRIS CURRIE It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Barrie Currie, unexpectedly at the age of 73, in the early hours of Friday October 7, 2005, at home with his wife by his side. He was dearly loved and is survived by his wife Beverley Currie (nee Blanchard), their two children, Cameron and Margaret, son-in-law Mark West and grandsons, Simon and Samuel Currie West. Barrie was born on January 24, 1932 in Deloraine, MB, where he attended elementary school. His father William Joseph Currie, died when Barrie was a young boy. Barrie and his brother William George, were raised by their mother Margaret and her brother Peter Bissett, who acted as their father and was deeply loved by both boys. Barrie's family moved to Nanaimo, BC, where Barrie attended high school. He returned to Winnipeg, graduated from Pharmacy at The University of Manitoba in 1956 and in the same year married Beverley Anne Blanchard, a very happy union of 49 years. Barrie had a successful career as a retail pharmacist, beginning as owner of Windsor Park Pharmacy, then moving to Metro Drugs, Kent Drugs, Woolco and Walmart. After retiring, he continued to work part-time at Winnipeg's historic North End pharmacy, Hartford Drugs, until his death. Barrie was dedicated to his profession and well liked by colleagues, staff and the clientele he took special care of, many of whom changed pharmacies whenever Barrie moved. Barrie was a proud country boy who never lost his feelings for his rural roots. He was very active right up to his last day, excitedly setting goals and planning special events and trips, years in advance. He loved reading, swimming, golfing and horse racing. Barrie liked to accompany friends for the occasional duck hunt at Libau, though in later years he preferred to just sit in the car and enjoy his bag lunch, content to be back in the country. He was an enthusiastic reader of Canadian prairie fiction, especially W.O. Mitchell, Margaret Laurence and Sinclair Ross and he loved American authors, John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway, whose stories provided a way back to his childhood landscapes and memory. For over 50 years, the centrepiece of Barrie's social life and his favourite time of year, was summer, spent with family at his mother-in-law's cottage at Victoria Beach, which he called Paradise . The cottage served as an ideal location for family milestones and it evoked an important sense of continuity with memorable events from his family's past. For the last eight years, Barrie's greatest pleasure in life was to plan family visits to the cottage, where he would play with his two grandsons on the beach and patiently teach them how to golf. Barrie's ties with others were strong and though he lived in Winnipeg, he stayed in close touch with relatives in British Columbia, who will miss him dearly. Barrie and his cousin Joseph Bissett, grew up together and regarded each other as true brothers. Barrie also enjoyed extraordinary friendships with Cole Settle and Cliff Klan, speaking with them every day. Barrie held Dr. Michael West in special trust. Michael operated on him in 1983, following a serious stroke, and in subsequent years Barrie relied on his careful guidance and concern whenever hard decisions needed to be faced. Family and friends were most important to Barrie and he watched and fretted over all of us with unusual generosity, tact and kindness. Barrie was a loving, devoted husband and a good, sweet father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was generous, wry and very (darkly) funny. His gift as a story-teller and his endearing, vivacious laughter will sound in our hearts forever. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, 274 Campbell St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Faculty of Pharmacy, 202 Pharmacy Building, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 15, 2005
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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I didn't know Barry well, we met at the Pan Am pool and had many friendly conversations. I'll miss seeing him and I offer you my warmest condolences to the family. Bill L - Posted by: Bill l (Acquaintance) on: Oct 17, 2005