John Barry Holtzman

Barry passed away suddenly from a stroke Dec 14, 2024. The only blessing is that the DR said his death was instant and he did not feel a thing. In fact he just curled in a bonspiel that weekend, and shot his last deer on a hunting trip in November. Barry enjoyed life fishing, hunting, curling and spending time with family and friends till the last moment.

Barry was born April 10, 1944, in Marsden but grew up in Neilburg, Saskatchewan. The oldest son of Al & Lucy Holtzman and the older brother of Keith Holtzman. At a young age he developed a love for animals and the outdoors. He told many wonderful childhood story's of working on neighborhood farms. He credited his love of hunting and fishing to a man he called his second father Rasmus Hanson and his Uncle Jack Lewis. As a young man of 21 Barry moved to Quesnel BC to play hockey for the Quesnel Kangaroos. He secured a Job on the river drive working for Weldwood.

After sowing his wild oats as a young bachelor, Barry met a young nurse named Monique Labbe, who he married in 1972. They built their first house together in the Richbar area of Quesnel. Barry would work all day on the river and build his house at night. He was an extremely hard-working man. He was often heard saying "I love working, most days I work 8 hrs by accident". With the chance to captain his own boat he went to work in Terrace BC, booming logs on The Nass River.

Soon enough Barry and Monique started their family. Baby Nadine arrived in 1976 followed by Ken in 1979, and Nicole in 1983. Family life was full of many outdoor activities. Barry was an amazing husband and father. He was a great teacher and shared his love of the outdoors with his family. There are many stories to share of family camping, fishing, and hunting trips, running wild in the bush.

In the summer months the young Holtzman family would move to the bush outside of Mackenzie BC. Barry was now working booming logs on Williston Lake. He was always a entrepreneur buying his own boom boat and starting his own log booming business. He loved working on the water. The family home based out of Quesnel and as the kids got older and started school, Barry did not like working away from the family. In 1991 The Holtzman family moved to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. Barry started his businesses building houses and drywalling. The family thrived having their beloved husband and father home all year round. Even though he sacrificed his love of working on the water for his family Barry still pursued his love of the water fishing all over Vancouver Island. He enjoyed meeting people and made many friends over his lifetime. He will be missed dearly by his Loving wife of 53 years Monique Holtzman. His oldest daughter Nadine Holtzman and son Ken Holtzman (Katlyn Varga) granddaughters Olivia, Avery Holtzman, Inge Varga and Youngest daughter Nicole Hartley (Ryan) and granddaughter Sophia Hartley. Rest in Peace Barry, thank you for being an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, Uncle, and friend. Wish we could have just one more famous Barry Holtzman story. We Love You!