Barry Paul Safiniuk

Barry is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Elyse Le (Wilson Le), his son, Joshua Safiniuk, his grand-daughter, Emilia Le, his brothers Alan Safiniuk, Mike Safiniuk (Debbie Safiniuk), and his sisters, Marlene Ward (Stan Ward), Bev Rich (Al Rich), Liz Golis (Larry Golis), and Theresa Safiniuk.

Barry was predeceased by his daughter Catie Safiniuk, his sister Eileen Desousa, his mother Helen Safiniuk, and his father Michael Safiniuk.

Born in Winnipeg, Barry was raised on the family farm for the first 15 years of his life. He attended Irwinton School, a one-room school in the RM of Rockwood in which one teacher taught grades one to eight. He finished his grade schooling in Stony Mountain. Barry then attended high school at the Stonewall Collegiate and finished high school in Winnipeg at St. John’s High. On the farm, chores, involving the hardest work, fell mostly to the brothers and their Dad as the farm increased in size and operation over the years. It was there that Barry learned the high standards and value of hard work and where, as we’ve come to learn, his determination and competitive nature were born and where they flourished.

There was no truer display of these traits than when he played for the St. John’s Tigers. His hard work, determination and competitive nature were rewarded when he was awarded the Harry Hood Memorial Trophy in 1974 after an outstanding high school football career. The trophy is awarded annually to the high school football player who exemplifies the highest standards in playing ability, school citizenship, fair play and scholastic standing.

All those attributes continued to follow Barry throughout his life including five years of playing Bison football, receiving a degree in Computer Science and a brief period being drafted by the Blue Bombers. Barry joined his wife, father in-law, and brothers’ in-law in their participation of marathons, half marathons, and triathlons. He passed his love for activity, camping, and his natural athleticism down to his children; his daughter earning a visit to the national championships and Canada Games for wrestling. If you didn’t get the chance to see Barry compete, a story of his triathlon days captures him quite well. He would regularly be one of the last people to leave the water. After giving his all on the swim, and regardless of what shape he was in, he’d will himself through the bike and run to make it to the front to the pack. Not a natural swimmer or distance runner, he trained with some exceptional athletes often only keeping up through determination alone.

He was a quiet fighter. Through a hard childhood, the passing of his second child Caitie from Marfan syndrome, and the loss of his sister Eileen, he still excelled in all that was placed in front of him. He lovingly raised his children Elly and Josh. From religiously reading books to his kids before bed to taking his son on annual Super runs at the Manitoba Marathon, he loved any moment he could spend with his kids. In between work and raising his kids, he loved creating a home for his kids and his dog, Molly who was his constant companion. Entering the house, you immediately could tell how much love and care he put into his home life. There was never a nicer home and dog cared for by one man.

The thing Barry was most proud of were his children and grandchildren. Above all else, he was a father and grandfather first. He was the best father Elyse, Josh and Wilson could’ve had. He was kind, loving and always put his family first. When it came to family, he was as selfless a person as anyone could be. If family asked for help, he would drop whatever he was doing and be there. He wouldn’t hesitate to show up with food, games or tools in hand. When his granddaughter, Emilia, was born, he was the first one waiting excitedly at the hospital and provided endless amounts of support.

Barry will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Thomson in the Park Funeral Home 1291 McGilivray Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, donations can be made in Barry’s memory to the Canadian Marfan Association or the Humane Society.