Obituary of Barry Vernon Fisher

May 13, 1930 – Dodsland, Saskatchewan

July 21, 2024 – Pincher Creek, Alberta

Barry died peacefully at Pincher Creek, AB, in the late evening of Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the age of 94 years, after a long and happy life.

Barry was born in Dodsland, SK, on May 13, 1930, to H. Norman and Nora Fisher (nee Barker). He grew up on his family’s homestead in Sedalia, AB where his dad farmed and ran the general store. The family moved to Sylvan Lake in 1942, where his dad took over Cobb’s Store.

Barry completed his high school education at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Barry’s love of learning and education led to him to attending the University of Alberta achieving the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1954 and a Bachelor of Education in 1960. He married the love of his life, Mary Margaret “Marnie” Peterson in 1961. Barry continued his education earning a Master of Education from the University of Oregon in 1977. He was an employee of the Calgary Board of Education for 36 years, beginning as a teacher in 1959 and finishing as an elementary school principal in 1995. He was known to be a loyal principal with an exceptional concern for children.

Keenly interested and supportive of left-wing politics and the relevance of the social gospel to Canadian society, Barry was a delegate to the founding convention of the New Democratic Party in Ottawa in 1961. After retirement, Barry became active in the inner-city mission of the church, read copious books on history and politics, was active in political campaigns and wrote many letters to editors and politicians urging a more just and compassionate society. Barry loved the mountains and spent his younger years hiking and climbing throughout Alberta and B.C. He instilled the love of the mountains and forest in his children where many days were spent skiing and picnicking. Barry and Marnie started a small llama business where he made meaningful connections with new friends and thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors on the land caring for animals he loved.

Barry was predeceased by his wife Marnie in 2012 after 51 years of marriage and his brothers Gerald and Michael. Barry will be lovingly remembered by his children, Jennifer Fisher-Sundberg (Bryan) of Pincher Creek, AB and John Fisher (Polly) of Lethbridge, AB; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was the beloved Grandpa of Adam and Megan Sundberg and Gabriel, Malcolm and Ethan Fisher.

“In my end is my beginning”

-T.S. Eliott

Memorial Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Change for Children, 2nd Floor, 10808-124 Steet Edmonton, AB, T5M 0H3, Telephone: 780-448-1505, www.changeforchildren.org.

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

In living memory of Barry Fisher, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.