Obituary
Barry was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on August 12, 1948. He was the only child of Gladys and Gordon McPercival. The main thing that he remembered from his childhood was the cold prairie winters, walking to school, to the outhouse, and to get water from down the street. He often said that the stork must have gotten lost that day because he was meant to be born somewhere warm.
His family moved frequently as his father was in the military. He lived in Wainwright, Alberta, Kamloops, and Burnaby, BC, to name a few places. He recalled one summer fondly when he was about twelve or thirteen, spending time on the beach in Kelowna, listening to rock and roll. So began a lifelong love of music.
Barry also loved sports, playing hockey in his school years. Later, he took up tennis, and in his teens, he discovered Judo. He continued with Judo for many years, earning his black belt and eventually teaching kids at the club in Creston, BC, where he and Linda lived for five years. Barry loved going for a beer with the guys after a workout and made lifelong friends along the way.
Barry was adventurous in his younger years, hitchhiking around Europe on his own one summer at the age of twenty. He also travelled to Japan twice, where he enjoyed meeting people and experiencing the culture.
Barry and Linda met on a singles walk in 2004 and have been together ever since. Barry quickly became a part of Linda’s family and together they watched Linda’s three children and twelve grandchildren grow over eighteen years. Barry was a bit overwhelmed at times, not being used to large family gatherings with lots of kids, pets, and noise. He would sometimes ask “How many birthdays do these people have?” He did his best.
In the last few years, Barry has faced several health challenges including diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s. He was stubborn and determined that he could overcome these obstacles and he refused to admit defeat.
He will be sadly missed by his partner Linda, family, and many friends. Barry was 73 years old.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barry James McPercival August 12 1948 January 22 2022 (age 73)..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta