Obituary of Barry Nelson Dyke

July 21, 1937 - Vancouver, British Columbia

July 14, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Barry Nelson Dyke of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, July 14, 2024, just one week short of his 87^th birthday.

He was born on July 21, 1937, in Vancouver to Aubrey (Andy) Dyke and Edith Dyke (nee Kemp) and grew up in Richmond, BC. Barry was a cherished husband, father, uncle, brother, and son.

Barry worked as a Certified Aircraft Technician (now known as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) and was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He served proudly in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for ten years, obtaining his initial qualifications as an aircraft mechanic. His assignments took him to Ontario, Quebec, Germany, and Egypt, including a two-year stint at RCAF Airbase Zweibrücken in Germany and a deployment with the United Nations Emergency Force I in the Sinai Desert from 1960-61. His RCAF service allowed him to travel extensively across Europe and the Middle East.

Following his military career, Barry returned to civilian life in Vancouver, working in the parts departments at BMC and Kenworth. It was during this time that he met his wife, Sharon McKean, whom he married in 1965. They enjoyed 59 years together until Barry's passing. In 1968, Barry joined Air Canada in Montreal where he worked for five years, before transferring to Calgary in 1973. During his 27-year career at Air Canada, Barry gained certifications to work on and inspect various types of aircraft, earning the designation of Certified Aircraft Technician (CAT). Barry retired from Air Canada in 1994.

Barry wasn’t just a mechanic by profession; he could fix anything and in his leisure time, Barry pursued his passion for car restoration. He particularly enjoyed restoring a 1991 red Miata sports car convertible and embarking on summer road trips. Barry was also known for his generosity, volunteering at the Calgary Food Bank for many years. Some of his other interests included drawing, hiking, and baking. Barry took great pride in his children and supported their pursuit of higher education. Family vacations created many cherished memories. Many of those memories are of road trips in a truck and camper, along with some big overseas trips to New Zealand in 1980 and Sri Lanka in 2011. Other highlights were several cruises Barry and Sharon later took with friends.

Barry is survived by his loving wife Sharon Dyke, daughter Kelly (Ragnar), and son Daryl (Arjuni). He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Phyllis, Walter, Molly, and Robert (Bob).

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The family extends heartfelt thanks for the compassionate care that Barry received from the staff at Cambridge Manor in his final year.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson Association of Alberta, 120, 6835 Railway Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2V6 Telephone: (403) 243-9901, www.parkinsonassociation.ca.

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

In living memory of Barry Dyke, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.