In loving memory of Barry Frank Gosnell
Barry passed away in his 78th year on July 3, 2023 at Boundary Trails Health Centre. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of almost 52 years Terry (nee McDougall), his children Teryl (Dusty) Moore and Dustin (Brandy) and his cherished grandchildren Evan, Ryan, Reese and Carter. Barry will also be greatly missed by his sisters and brothers Shirley (Bill) Vail, David (Linda), Lois, Keith and Myrna as well as his nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and the many, many close friends he made over the years where he worked, volunteered, and played.
Barry was born August 2, 1945 in Crystal City, MB to Charles and Margaret. He was the third child in a family of six and grew up on the family farm near Purves. He attended the one-room Eton School for his elementary years and finished his education at Crystal City High School. He always said he enjoyed the social aspects of school and playing sports with his friends at recess. After high school he attended what is now Red River College and was trained to install telecommunications hardware, which led to an eight-year career with Northern Electric before returning to the farm in 1974. He spoke so fondly of the great friendships he made during those younger years and kept contact with many of those friends throughout his life. It was during his time with Northern Electric that he met Terry, while posted in Virden, MB. They decided very quickly they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together and were married on July 24, 1971. Barry and Terry spent 33 years on the family farm, where they raised their two children and many beloved pets. They enjoyed farming and the lifestyle it provided, but Barry was often searching for ways to make things more interesting - growing forages for seed and export, selling seed, raising animals, and building a hog barn. Some of these ventures provided fodder for humorous stories to share around the campfire.
This quest for interesting challenges also led Barry to become involved as a board member with the local Co-op. He remained on that board for 45 years as the organization evolved through many amalgamations. His involvement on the local board eventually motivated him to become nominated for and elected to the board of Federated Co-op. This was a very rewarding and challenging fifteen years to which he devoted many hours and was a part of the strengthening of the co-op system in western Canada and in developing countries around the world. The Canadian Co-operative Association awarded him with the Global Cooperator Award in 2007 for his involvement in the co-operative movement on an international level. In 2012, he was also honoured to receive the Distinguished Co-operator Award from the Manitoba Co-operative Association, awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the development and success of the co-operative community. What he appreciated most was the close friendships made along the journey of his involvement with the Co-op.
Barry was a kind and involved father, grandfather and uncle. He always made time to play a game of catch, build a backyard skating rink, take kids (and pets) for tractor rides, teach 4-H woodworking, and coach hockey. Barry loved to go camping with his family and friends and made sure to fit in a few trips each summer between seeding and harvest when still farming, and between golf games in later years. He was an avid sports fan and cheered on his beloved Habs, the Bombers, Canada’s golfers and most importantly his children and grandchildren. Barry liked to tinker in his organized workshop and had a passion for woodworking, a creative talent he passed along to Dustin. No wood scrap went to waste and many friends and family will have a Barry Gosnell original creation to cherish.
Barry and Terry farmed their last crop in 2005 and retired to the community of Carman in 2007, a community carefully chosen so Barry could continue his tenure on the Co-op Board. The community and people of Carman welcomed them with open arms. Barry’s interest in community and generosity led him to become involved on the board of the Carman Area Foundation, eventually to serve in the role of Chair. His time with the Foundation was another very rewarding experience, during which he made another new group of close friends.
Barry always loved music, attending many festivals and concerts, but had never been able to make music. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to take lessons and celebrated their performances. Perhaps his most rewarding experience was learning to play the ukulele at 72 years old. The Boyne River Ukulele Group welcomed him on board, and he enjoyed making and recording music with them over the past few years.
Barry had an excellent sense of humour and an amazing memory for stories, jokes, trivia and history. During COVID he sent a series of handwritten messages by email to his grandchildren recounting humorous and heartwarming stories from his life experiences. He was also a committed secret-pal and pen-pal letter writer for Carman school children.
Friends and family always mattered most to Barry. He didn’t just want to know your name, he wanted to know your story. Everyone who has been in his life knows he was unwaveringly kind, truly listened to you and always remembered a name. We admire him for how positive he stayed and how hard he fought to remain such a huge part of our lives during times of illness over these past fourteen years.
Barry’s family would like to thank the paramedics and Boundary Trails Health Centre nursing and medical staff for the compassionate care during his stay.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Barry’s life will take place on Friday, July 28th at 11:00 am at Carman United Church with a time of fellowship to follow. Donations in Remembrance may be made to the Carman Area Foundation or a charity of choice.
Barry passed away in his 78th year on July 3, 2023 at Boundary Trails Health Centre. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of almost 52 years Terry (nee McDougall), his children Teryl (Dusty) Moore and Dustin (Brandy) and his cherished grandchildren Evan, Ryan, Reese and Carter. Barry will also be greatly missed by his sisters and brothers Shirley (Bill) Vail, David (Linda), Lois, Keith and Myrna as well as his nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and the many, many close friends he made over the years where he worked, volunteered, and played.
Barry was born August 2, 1945 in Crystal City, MB to Charles and Margaret. He was the third child in a family of six and grew up on the family farm near Purves. He attended the one-room Eton School for his elementary years and finished his education at Crystal City High School. He always said he enjoyed the social aspects of school and playing sports with his friends at recess. After high school he attended what is now Red River College and was trained to install telecommunications hardware, which led to an eight-year career with Northern Electric before returning to the farm in 1974. He spoke so fondly of the great friendships he made during those younger years and kept contact with many of those friends throughout his life. It was during his time with Northern Electric that he met Terry, while posted in Virden, MB. They decided very quickly they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together and were married on July 24, 1971. Barry and Terry spent 33 years on the family farm, where they raised their two children and many beloved pets. They enjoyed farming and the lifestyle it provided, but Barry was often searching for ways to make things more interesting - growing forages for seed and export, selling seed, raising animals, and building a hog barn. Some of these ventures provided fodder for humorous stories to share around the campfire.
This quest for interesting challenges also led Barry to become involved as a board member with the local Co-op. He remained on that board for 45 years as the organization evolved through many amalgamations. His involvement on the local board eventually motivated him to become nominated for and elected to the board of Federated Co-op. This was a very rewarding and challenging fifteen years to which he devoted many hours and was a part of the strengthening of the co-op system in western Canada and in developing countries around the world. The Canadian Co-operative Association awarded him with the Global Cooperator Award in 2007 for his involvement in the co-operative movement on an international level. In 2012, he was also honoured to receive the Distinguished Co-operator Award from the Manitoba Co-operative Association, awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the development and success of the co-operative community. What he appreciated most was the close friendships made along the journey of his involvement with the Co-op.
Barry was a kind and involved father, grandfather and uncle. He always made time to play a game of catch, build a backyard skating rink, take kids (and pets) for tractor rides, teach 4-H woodworking, and coach hockey. Barry loved to go camping with his family and friends and made sure to fit in a few trips each summer between seeding and harvest when still farming, and between golf games in later years. He was an avid sports fan and cheered on his beloved Habs, the Bombers, Canada’s golfers and most importantly his children and grandchildren. Barry liked to tinker in his organized workshop and had a passion for woodworking, a creative talent he passed along to Dustin. No wood scrap went to waste and many friends and family will have a Barry Gosnell original creation to cherish.
Barry and Terry farmed their last crop in 2005 and retired to the community of Carman in 2007, a community carefully chosen so Barry could continue his tenure on the Co-op Board. The community and people of Carman welcomed them with open arms. Barry’s interest in community and generosity led him to become involved on the board of the Carman Area Foundation, eventually to serve in the role of Chair. His time with the Foundation was another very rewarding experience, during which he made another new group of close friends.
Barry always loved music, attending many festivals and concerts, but had never been able to make music. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to take lessons and celebrated their performances. Perhaps his most rewarding experience was learning to play the ukulele at 72 years old. The Boyne River Ukulele Group welcomed him on board, and he enjoyed making and recording music with them over the past few years.
Barry had an excellent sense of humour and an amazing memory for stories, jokes, trivia and history. During COVID he sent a series of handwritten messages by email to his grandchildren recounting humorous and heartwarming stories from his life experiences. He was also a committed secret-pal and pen-pal letter writer for Carman school children.
Friends and family always mattered most to Barry. He didn’t just want to know your name, he wanted to know your story. Everyone who has been in his life knows he was unwaveringly kind, truly listened to you and always remembered a name. We admire him for how positive he stayed and how hard he fought to remain such a huge part of our lives during times of illness over these past fourteen years.
Barry’s family would like to thank the paramedics and Boundary Trails Health Centre nursing and medical staff for the compassionate care during his stay.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Barry’s life will take place on Friday, July 28th at 11:00 am at Carman United Church with a time of fellowship to follow. Donations in Remembrance may be made to the Carman Area Foundation or a charity of choice.