Obituary of Barry Boyle

February 25, 1941 – Hawarden, Wales

February 24, 2023 - Cochrane, Alberta

Barry Boyle of Cochrane, AB, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the age of 82 years.

Barry was born in Hawarden, Wales, of the United Kingdom on February 25, 1941. Barry apprenticed as a bookbinder and eventually worked at the Oxford University Press in Oxford, UK. He immigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1968 where he quickly embraced the Alberta farm life. Later, he worked as the public works foreman for the Village of Cremona and eventually retired in Cochrane.

During his years in Cremona, he was a dedicated member of the local volunteer fire department and continued volunteering once he lived in Cochrane for the local high school as part of a senior program.

Barry was fantastically different. He was drawn to nature and fond of walking through the forest and talking to trees. He was never alone when he was surrounded by nature.

He followed his passions and wanted nothing more than to help people. He had a way of opening your eyes and mind to help you see and think about the world in a new light. He wanted to heal people, and he did. He wanted to connect with people, and he did.

Barry loved photography, drum circles, Tai chi, rocks and crystals, dessert before dinner and he loved learning and teaching about trees, herbs, energy healing, past lives, and so much more. He loved Tolkien, Hammond Innes, and Harry Potter. Some of us are certain that he was not only a reader but could also be a character in the stories themselves. Those of us that knew Barry will have our own stories, moments, and gifts that he shared with us.

For those of us that connected with Barry, learned from him, and got to share parts of his life, we are left enriched and enchanted by him. He would want us to draw on our time together and be better for it, not saddened. He will be missed and remembered as a person that personified the word unique.

Barry is survived by his daughters and their spouses, Susanne and Tom McCaffery of Calgary, Alberta and Linda and  Mark Deloretto of Black Diamond, Alberta; and his grandchildren, Ozker, Lily and Ruby Deloretto.

Barry was predeceased by his parents Miriam and John Boyle both of the United Kingdom.

There will not be a service held but as he always enjoyed celebrating his winter birthday in the summer, we will spread his ashes at that time among the trees and send off some fireworks in his honour. Please commemorate his life on earth as you wish.

In living memory of Barry Boyle, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.