Thomas David Barnes, U.E.

1930 – 2013

Beloved husband of Pauline, Tom died peacefully on January 8th, in Victoria BC. He will be deeply missed by his daughters Valerie and Stephanie, and by his grandson Tavian. He will also be missed by Pauline’s daughter Eve, her husband Kurt, and by their daughter Holly. Tom’s many nieces and nephews will miss his jokes and his great love of family. His abundant friends across Canada and around the world will miss his easy laughter and endlessly cheerful outlook.

Tom was born in Calgary, Alberta, on January 6, 1930 to Frances and Lemuel Barnes. He was the youngest of six siblings, all of whom adored him. He used to say his siblings treated him “somewhat like a pet,” showering him with affection. An avid fisherman, Tom spent idyllic days in his youth with his great friend Vic, pulling fat trout from Alberta’s icy mountain streams. After graduating from UBC, Tom went on to practice architecture as a career, winning awards for his designs. Houses he designed still adorn the streets of several Calgary neighbourhoods.

In Victoria, Tom enjoyed a life filled with love and joy; peace and fresh ocean air. Always a keen environmentalist, Tom campaigned to save delicate BC ecosystems and old-growth rainforests. He danced well, and was a long-time member of the Saanich International Folk Dancers. He also loved Morris Dancing and could often be spotted at public venues, dressed in white, covered in ribbons and jingle-bells, waving a big stick and crashing about with his Holly Tree colleagues.

He enjoyed simple, uncomplicated joys. For Tom, eating a banana split was a transcendent experience, which he was always keen to share with family and friends. He sang goofy comic songs, which he composed in abundance. He could recite poetry he learned as a youngster, railway timetables he learned as a student, and ribald verse he learned, let us assume, as an adult. Even as his memory failed, Tom still loved to talk about trains. He would light up most however, when asked about his grandson, his daughters or his wife. That he adored them all is inarguable.

Thanks must be given to the staff at Hart House and to Dr. Eugene Leduc, for their sensitive and expert care of Tom during the last year of his life. Thanks must also be given to Pauline, for providing Tom with more than a quarter-century of the happiest years of his life; chock-full of love, laughter and companionship.

A happy celebration of Tom’s life will be held at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Wednesday, January 16th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Tom’s name to an environmental charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com.

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