Terence Albert Barnes

1927-2021

Our wonderful Dad and loving husband of the late Jean “Tommy” Cole died on January 25, 2021 at Camp Hill Veterans residence after a brief recurrence of medical issues.

Terry lived a life of understated humour and quick ripostes. He was a military squash champion, a competitive table tennis player, an excellent golfer, a wizard at bridge, a terrific pianist but a terrible singer and dancer, a rigorous music teacher and conductor, avid reader, follower of political events, vegetable gardener, crossword puzzle addict, epic poetry fan, piano tuner, and a lover of Persian cats.

On February 5, 1927 in Reigate, Surrey UK, Daisy Ridgers and Cyril Preston Barnes welcomed the last of their 5 children into a military musical family. After the family moved to Chipping Ongar, Terry at 14 years old in 1941, followed the family tradition of joining the military (British Royal Artillery) as a band boy, having learned to play the French horn from his uncle a year earlier. In the military, too young to be deployed overseas in WW2, he completed his schooling and improved his musicianship on the French horn and piano. As a young, non- combatant he served as a stretcher-bearer during the London Blitz.

On May 27, 1947 in London Terry and Tommy married beginning a 68 year life together.In 1951 Terry and other band members went to Northern Africa as part of the continuing post-war peace efforts. In 1955 Terry, joined the Canadian military. With his wife and two daughters, the family sailed across the Atlantic, landed in Halifax then took the train to join the Royal Canadian Engineers Band at CFB Chilliwack, BC where his oldest brother was also a band member. He also joined the Vancouver Symphony as a French horn player.

In the mid 1960s, Terry attended the Esquimalt School of Music (Victoria, BC) to become a Director of Music (DOM). His first posting as a DOM was in 1966 with the Guards Band (Army) in Petawawa, ON. Postings then followed in 1967 to the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Gagetown, NB and then in 1968 to the Stadacona Band (Navy) Halifax, NS as Associate DOM. During the late 1960s Terry participated in summer music camps as an adjudicator, teacher, and DOM at both the Universities of Mount Allison and Acadia. He was also a guest conductor for the NB Symphony. In 1971 he became DOM for the Air Force Training Command Band in Winnipeg followed, in 1975, by his last military posting as the DOM for the Canadian contingent of the North American Air Defense (NORAD) Band in Colorado Springs. When asked in later life in which branch of the military he had served, Terry replied “all three”.

In 1979, Terry and Tommy retired to Victoria, BC where they decided to do something totally different by managing a motel. To help with this project, Terry returned to school to study accounting thus formalizing his fascination with numbers. They loved the Island so, after the motel adventure, they moved to Parksville/Qualicum Beach where they lived by a golf course – golfing was Terry’s third passion (after Tommy and music). Terry also volunteered as DOM for the Nanaimo Concert Band for two seasons. For the next 20 years Terry and Tommy travelled extensively throughout the US, New Zealand, and the UK. They spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona with their latest cat and a coterie of friends but were always happy to return to Canada where they had become citizens in 1967. Golf, playing bridge, socializing with friends, exploring new and old haunts were their delights. Then in 1998, Terry and Tommy returned to Halifax, to be closer to their daughters. Saying they were not old enough in their mid-70s for a retirement home, they had their dream house built. They then developed a new circle of friends and neighbours.

In late 2018, after his beloved Tommy’s death, Terry moved to Camp Hill.

When asked about his professional career Terry talked about the joy he felt when practicing and performing with a group of musicians, discussing /arguing about musical esoterica on phrasing, performances, and nuances of classical music; and explaining to all who would listen why Beethoven and Mozart were his favourite composers. As a DOM he said his most satisfying times were the rehearsals where he and the musicians worked together to bring out the best in each other. When reflecting on his life he said moving to Canada was the best possible decision he and Tommy made. After coming from families with modest means, he and Tommy were grateful for all the opportunities and experiences Canada offered. Terry was also very proud of his loving daughters and their wonderful accomplishments.

Daughters Lesley and Christine, son-in-law Richard Singer, step grandchildren Kristin Sinclair (Doug) and their three children as well as step grandson Charlie Singer, nieces and nephews and their children in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand survive him. Terry was predeceased by his loving wife Tommy (April 2016), his parents, siblings and their spouses: brothers Roy (Joyce), Ray (Lilian), Roderick “Pat” (Vivian) Barnes, and sister Rita Wall (Terry).

Special thanks to the staff of 6 West whose care and compassion for Terry made his final years at Camp Hill more like a home than a residence. Special acknowledgments also to surrogate daughter Susan (Milligan) Simmons as well as friends Leonard and Janet Camplin who kept in regular contact through telephone calls that often included musical discussions, cards and letters. Also thank you to all who helped us through the COVID -19 visiting restrictions.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Nanaimo Concert Band (P.O. Box 794, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5M2), or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Terry lived a long, good, and eventful life. We have wonderful memories, but his absence leaves a hole in our hearts.