Obituary of Dennis Alan Barnes

April 9, 1947 – November 15, 2023

Dennis Allan Barnes, beloved husband of Frances ‘Fran’ Barnes (nee Bruce), of Calgary, AB, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the age of 76 years.

Dennis was born April 9, 1947 in Chorley, in the Northwest of England. He talked fondly of trips to Wales to go the beach and riding his motorbike down to London to watch the football. He moved to Canada in 1974 with six friends from England and was the only one strong enough to last through that first Manitoba winter.

He met the love of his life, Fran, in Oak Point, MB in 1975 and gained a large new family, who became parents, brothers, and sisters to him. They married on March 20, 1976 in St. Laurent, MB during the worst blizzard of the year and welcomed their children, Scott and then Pam, before moving onto their next adventure to Alberta - where he was able to realize the dream of owning his own horses, and share that with his family.

Dennis worked as a heavy-duty mechanic and a millwright before ending his career as a field technician for various compressor companies. This meant driving across Western Canada, something he loved doing well into his retirement. He is remembered as someone who always greeted you with a big smile and made you feel welcome. He loved golfing with friends and family, going for drives to look for wildlife, singing along to his favourite music, and watching Manchester United and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (even when they were losing). One of his greatest joys was spending time with and doting on his four grandchildren; taking them to the beach and for ice cream whenever possible.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife Fran; son Scott (Trish Ganshirt), and their children Jenna and Daniel; and daughter Pam (Chris) Roach, and their children Caitlin and Declan. He is also survived by his brother David (Jackie) in England, his mother-in-law Marcelline (Bruce) in Manitoba and many, many loving brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his mother Dorothy (nee Dagger), father William, sister Gloria and brother-in-law Alan Dixon, father-in-law Frank (Bruce), brother-in-law Doug (Bruce) and his wife Yvonne (nee Buors), and sister-in-law Edna Allard (nee Bruce).

A Service of Remembrance will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. 

In living memory of Dennis Barnes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.