Obituary of Barry Thomas Wozny

May 28, 1961 – Calgary, Alberta

June 9, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Bear, we feel you everywhere and are warmed in our grief by your big heart, your unconditional love for everyone you touched with your generosity and the faith you hold in common humanity. You are dearly missed and we, in turn, will always, always, keep you warm in our hearts.

For those who don’t know, Bear was born in Calgary, but as a family, we adventured far afield. In the early years, we would go to Gramma and Grampa Wowk’s farm for the summer holidays with our mum, Ollie. The one-room cabin with the wood stove, the fields of grain where the well kept the diary cool, the bull, the cows and pigs, the chickens, hens, a beautiful vegetable garden and love everywhere. Bear! Remember when your stick ran away? (Garter snake!)

When Bear was nine, our dad, Tom, landed a job in Western Australia and our adventures continued in a railroad camp in the outback. Bear was in his glory catching scorpions, centipedes, and snakes - in tin cans! Some of them were bottled and are probably in Bear’s house somewhere.

But his big love was for a wounded cockatoo, Matey, who he nursed back to health. Matey loved Bear, back – their favourite game was at bedtime. Matey would hide and Bear would call out, “Hello Matey” and the beautiful bird would respond in kind, “Hello Barry”. His two cockatiels were silent for many weeks after his passing.

Our travels to Australia and back took us to many places – Hawaii, Fiji, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Japan – and Bear’s adventures continued. He went to Mexico as part of the “Three Amigos”, and with his cousin Debbie and family. In the 80s, he visited his sister, Michele, in London and toured England, Wales, and the continent before returning. One of his favourite stories was about getting back to Canada and going through customs where the fellow asked, “What do you do for a living?” to which Bear replied, “As little as possible.” It took a while to get through customs.

Bear’s entrepreneurial spirit knew no bounds – an ostrich farm, a hobby farm, a vintage vehicle restoration enterprise – he lived his life to it is fullest. Sky diving, golfing, fishing, house boating, water and snow-skiing, hiking, and backwoods camping – he was full of adventure and along the way, he made many close friends; be that at work or at play.

Barry is deeply, sadly missed by all of those he touched, especially his brother Brian, his sisters, Michele (Doug) and Carla (Randy); his nieces, Christina (Russel) and Geri-Lynn; his nephew (Zachary), his stepnephews, Christian and Matthew; his grandniece Randi-Marie, and his grandnephew Maverick. Barry was predeceased by his mom Olga, and his dad Tom, who is survived by Carol and Barry’s stepbrothers, Steve (Tammy), Jeff (Marcie) and Barry (Jen). Bear was a family man, and his many cousins will carry his joy and the twinkle in his eye forward. He loved people; all your friends, Bear, will hold you forever.

We speak for everyone when we write – WE LOVE YOU, BEAR. Travel safely to your new frontier (I hope you’re flying, brother). We will each look for you and find you in the beauty of nature, which you so loved. Or for some of us, in a special vintage car rolling down the highway, like you are.

Peace, brother. Or as you would say, “La vie de la vie.”

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Barry Wozny, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.