Obituary of Barry Allan Martens

June 12, 1948 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

March 17, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Barry Allan Martens was a devoted and loving husband to his late wife Sally, and a proud and persistently loving father to his daughter Erika. With Erika by his side and the unwavering love of his family and friends, Barry has at last found peace. Barry and Sally are reunited.

Barry epitomized what it means to have hope and persevere through the most challenging and painful times. His inspiration will live on through all the people who love him.

Barry and Sally were married in Toronto in 1970, after dating for two years. In 1975, with the birth of Erika, their family was complete. Barry’s sense of adventure was the driving force that took his family on their move across the country, from the Toronto area to Vancouver in 1986, then to Calgary in 1990, and back to Vancouver in 2003. This is where he and Sally spent fourteen glorious years living on the Solitude (their sailboat) and exploring British Columbia’s west coast. In the summer of 2020, they decided to move back to Calgary to be closer to Erika and family.

Barry was a man of many talents. He had a passion to learn new things and explore the world. He was a sailor, woodworker, pilot, photographer, and mechanic. Often referred to as our own personal “MacGyver”, there wasn’t a challenge Barry couldn’t find a solution for.

His love for motorcycles and fast cars, specifically Formula 1 Racing, bled over to Sally and eventually Erika. As a family, race days were sacred.

Barry will be deeply missed by his brother David (Lorraine), his sister Donna (Bryan), his sister-in-law Mary (Sam), his brothers-in-law, Joe (Debbie) and Sal (Monica); and his twenty-two nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry James and Elizabeth (Hiebert); and in-laws, Salvator and Rose Marie (Longo) Battaglia.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, Rocky Mountain Plaza, Suite 1500, 615 Macleod Trail S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 4T8 Telephone: (403) 237-6456, calgaryhomeless.com/support/donate/, or to any local homeless shelter to help others in need. Helping others was near and dear to Barry’s heart.

Erika would like to express her deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and health care aides at South Health Campus and Alberta Palliative Care, who compassionately cared for Barry.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Barry’s family here.

In living memory of Barry Martens, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.