May 13, 1955 – April 21, 2021
Blair Thomas Barr passed away on April 21st, 2021, after a two-month battle with brain cancer. Ever the fighter, he fought until the bitter end, keeping a positive spirit and “power forward” attitude through it all.
Blair grew up in Calgary, AB. He opted to learn his life lessons at the rink or outside, only coming home when the porch light went on. Then off to U of C, followed by U of A where he acquired a BSc in Forestry and a team of lifelong friends. Always drawn to the outdoors, Blair’s work took him from High Prairie to Edson, finally landing in Houston, BC in 1981. At the time, Houston was booming and he joined an influx of young professionals flocking to town, all coming from university for their first real jobs and only planning on staying 5 years. This was where he met Jan.
From there, life got bigger. Blair bought his first house on Round Lake. Jan and Blair were married, and Kim, Kevin and Rebecca followed. Life moved the Barr family from Telkwa to Coldstream, then Williams Lake and Armstrong. Blair’s career took him from small town BC to Swaziland, then onto Merritt and the Coquihalla Highway where he was the ‘Top Brass of the Mountain Pass’. Forestry was Blair’s biggest interest and hockey his favourite outlet. If you knew Blair, you likely were his teammate in one of them, or possibly both.
Blair was strong, stubborn and straightforward. His Dad told him at an early age, “to gain respect, you have to treat people with the same respect that you will want from them. Leaders lead by example”. He lived by those words in all aspects of life. He was stern, but kindhearted; serious, but secretly a joker. He was a quiet observer with a big presence. He was the coach for “Team Barr”, immensely proud of his three children and in awe of his wife Jan. He was a lover of outdoor adventure and travel, and, who on any given day, could be found at the family cabin tending to his fruit trees and vegetable gardens, or out hunting and fishing.
Blair is lovingly remembered by his wife Jan, son Kevin, daughters Kimberley (Alex) and Rebecca (Nick), his first granddaughter Rowynn, mother Josephine, brother Darryl (Patti) and their family, as well as a team of the most supportive friends and family a guy could ever ask for. Blair leaves us with a life well lived and his only regret being that he did not have more time.
For all the love and support felt over the last few months, the Barr family would like to thank everyone from the bottom of their hearts. The memories and messages shared will keep Blair’s spirit alive. To all who loved him, keep your head up and your stick on the ice.
A celebration of Blair’s life will be held at a later date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Blair Thomas Barr April 21st 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Armstrong, Province: Colombie britanique