On December 20 we lost our beloved husband, father, uncle and friend. David died after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, his daughters, Josie (James) and Sinéad, and his step-daughters, Elaine (Ryan), Sheila (Jonathan) and Premala. He is also survived by his twin brother, Brian, of Lillooet, his mother-in-law, Doris Jewitt, his brothers-in-law, Jim (Janet) and Jeff (Lynn), his sisters-in-law, Joan (Bill) and Linda (Mike), and many nieces and nephews in BC and Alberta. His niece and her husband in Kelowna, Patty-Ann and Gary, provided much love and support through his various treatments there. David had many friends, and he was sustained at home in his last months by visits and conversations with his very dear friends Ian and Valery, Larry and Audrey, and Leo and Barb. David was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Kathleen, his sisters, Pat and Eileen, and his brother, Mike.
David devoted his life to helping struggling children, teens, families and foster families. He worked first from the Maples Centre in Burnaby then in Trail as a therapist through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. In his 28 years of service David touched the lives of many children and parents.
David was proud of his Irish heritage, and the culture of stories and songs he grew up with. His love of music was enriched by finding he could download every song from his youth onto his iPad and then subject his daughters to them all, through his intricate and ever changing speaker array. He was a keen hiker, with the desert canyons of Utah, Arizona and California holding a special place for him. A history buff, for many years he was a black powder enthusiast. He loved to mountain bike, fish, canoe and ski. He also loved to read, devouring fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose. But most of all, David was a loving husband, a good friend, and a proud dad, devoted to his daughters, and so proud of all they have done, facing their own challenges in the world.
At his request there will be no service at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held next summer. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
“Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.”
― William Butler Yeats,
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of David Arthur Barker December 20th 2018..
Source: myalternatives_castlegar
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique