Douglas Fleming Barbour

Family, friends, and colleagues of Edmonton poet and critic, Douglas Barbour are mourning his loss. He died at home on September 25th at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his nephews Greg Barbour (Monica, Anja, Kael) and Jay Barbour (Anne, Gerritt); his godchildren, Annie Beard and Michael Beard (Sanja, Daniel, Lukas); and a wide family of friends and relatives.

A professor at the University of Alberta for many years, he was an active member of the Edmonton literary community, supporting local events and poets, and bringing in readers, often putting them up, to share with his community. As cofounder of NeWest Press, he was a supporter of Western Canadian writers; as a poet, he was an ambassador for Canadian poetry in his national and international reading tours. He was in contact with fellow poets around the world until his death.

In 2003, Douglas was inaugurated into the City of Edmonton Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was given a lifetime achievement award for outstanding contribution to Canadian literature by the Alberta Book Publishers Association. Just recently, the Association renamed the speculative fiction award the Douglas Barbour Speculative Fiction award in recognition of his critical contributions to the field of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Doug was extremely grateful for the care he received from Alberta’s healthcare workers who, despite their almost untenable situation, treated him with compassion and grace.

He himself is being remembered by many for his generosity, his kindness, and his joyous engagement with life: art, music, poetry, and everyone around him.

A Memorial for Doug will be held at 5 p.m., October 14, 2021 at Hainstock’s Funeral Home, 9810 34 Ave. NW, followed by a small reception. The memorial will be live streamed: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1633405763140505

In lieu of flowers, anyone wanting to is asked to donate to a charity of their choice.

Hainstock’s Funeral Home & Crematorium is participating in Alberta’s restriction exemption program. All individuals attending indoor funeral services will be required to provide COVID – 19 proof of vaccination or proof of a privately-paid negative rapid test result taken within 72 hours of service, or documentation of medical exemption.