It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Art, dearly loved husband of Beryl Barker.
Also left to mourn his passing are his children Penny (Chris), Colleen (Juergen), David (Brenda), Derek (Donna), eight grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He is lovingly missed by his sisters-in-law Ann, Maggie (Doug), Betty & Mary (John) and many special nieces and nephews in Canada, the U.S. and New Zealand. Dear friends of many years John & Lynette, Jack & Yvonne, Barry & Lorraine and Gary & Diane were special to him.
Art was predeceased by his parents Charles and Ida Barker and his sister Audrey.
Born and raised in East Kildonan, Art made the Springfield area his home. This was where together we designed and built our homes in Anola and latterly Oakbank (from blue prints to the soap dishes). One of his retirement projects was to build the cottage at Snow Lake, where Ken and Val joined us to balance the hard work with many happy times.
Art’s working career was at MTS and after 35 years he retired as a supervising engineer. During those years he made many long lasting friendships.
As an athletic young man he played soccer, was a racing cyclist and enjoyed many winter sports, curling, skiing and speed skating. As a young man he built his first boat the “EAGER EVE” complete with cabin. More than 50 years ago he created a 17 foot sea kayak of teak and canvas and lived his dream of paddling it in the ocean on the West coast.
His creativity included wine making, wood working and landscaping which often seemed to require moving impossibly huge boulders with pulleys and ropes. He was a journal keeper, a whistler of country music, a lover of all animals and the great outdoors and a baker of brown sugar shortbread until his 90th Christmas.
Generous with his knowledge, time and experience, Art was a wonderful mentor to many. Our energizer bunny was never without an ongoing project.
Together Art and Beryl enjoyed many adventures exploring Canada and travelling to Australia, New Zealand and the U.K., plus sun-seeking in the Southern U.S. So many maps.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lacerte and Art’s home-care team for their care and compassion. Thank you to the Beausejour Hospital staff for their kindness in Art’s last days.
A great thank you to dear friends Gary and Diane for all their loving care.
Art, you are my Builder of Dreams.
Because of you our own small world
Will never be the same
And all our hearts are filled with love
When people speak your name.
But though your face may not be seen
Among us here today,
Your heart is felt in all our hearts
You changed along the way.
Love, Beryl
At Art’s request cremation has take place. No formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Cancer Care, MB
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Arthur Barker Sunday January 30th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba