Gerald Patrick Barnett

Dad was predeceased by his mother and father Marguerite and Gerald; his beloved wife Gloria; and his brother Chris. He will be missed by his children Kathryn (Ali), Michael, Barbara (Al) and Jamie (Melissa); as well as his sister Helena (Jim).

Dad met his match in our Mom when they were working at the Moose Jaw hospital together. They then moved to Regina and worked as a team to build a life anybody could be proud of. As a young father of four kids, Dad suffered a tragedy in an industrial accident which cost him his right leg. After a long, hard recovery he pulled himself back together and retrained as a draftsman so he could continue to support his family. Dad's work ethic was second to none, and even on his off hours he could often be found bent over a drafting desk doing freelance work designing machinery and even a couple houses which were eventually built in town. That work ethic was something he passed along to his kids, especially Michael.

Dad's pride and joy was his wife and his family. He was always being roped into home improvement projects that Mom suggested. He also encouraged and supported his kids in everything that we did. For Michael and Jamie it was coaching their hockey and baseball teams. During one baseball practice one of Jamie’s teammates hit a grounder that ended up bouncing off Dad's prosthetic leg. The poor kid, not knowing that Dad had a prosthetic was amazed when Dad just shook it off, said something about how it didn't hurt and carried on like normal. The little boy turned to my brother and said "Barney ... is your Dad ever TOUGH!!!" Well, Dad WAS tough. After he and Mom were diagnosed with lung cancer two weeks apart, they leaned on each other for support. Mom once said "When the going gets tough, your Dad gets going!!" Truer words were never spoken.

Dad was also wrapped around his daughters' little fingers. He would bring home reams of paper, pencils and other art supplies for me. He did some painting when he was younger and always encouraged me to improve my skills. He also shelled out money for National Geographic subscriptions and a full set of encyclopedias that I pored over again and again. For Kathy, he was always ready to run over to repair something or help with a few bucks whenever she needed. On weekdays, Dad cooked because he was the first one home. On Sundays Mom hauled out her exotic cookbooks and took her turn in the kitchen. Those were the days when Dad would surreptitiously slip my brother and I a fiver each and tell us to go get McDonald's because "your mother is cooking tonight" after which he would pull up a chair and take one for the team. Sorry, Mom.

Sports were always a huge interest for Dad. Even though when we were growing up he put up with any amount of hassle from his growing brood, on summer evenings when there was a Rider game on, he could be found on the back step with a stubby of Calgary Lager and a transistor radio. If you needed anything, you best go find Mon because Dad was OFF DUTY, He was tirelessly carting kids to rinks for hockey and figure skating. He shared his love of golf with Michael and Jamie and used to teach them a thing or two out at Tor Hill Golf Course when they were younger. They both became pretty good golfers in their own right. In his later years he enjoyed his "sporting events" on television. The split screen TV was made just for him! L used to enjoy calling him when I knew there was a football or hockey game on, just to see how long it would take before he would say "I have to go ... the game is on!", It was usually well under the two minute mark for anyone wondering.

All of us also inherited a love of animals from Dad. He always enjoyed when Michael would bring Spirit the dog over for visits. He loved getting updates on Orphan Annie, a filly that I raised on a bottle. The picture that l have of him, her as a baby and Jaeger the dog never fails to bring a smile to my face. It's likely because of the respect that Dad taught us for animals that all his kids have welcomed dogs, cats, horses and birds into their lives.

Dad also enjoyed visits from his Grandkids Porter and Avery. He was Porters biggest fan in every sport he played and was especially proud when he won a Golf Scholarship to an American University. He also got a real kick out of Avery's sass and spunk and enjoyed telling everyone about the latest thing she had done or said. His grandkids will miss his kindness and wisdom but he leaves them with many beautiful memories to cherish.

In his final illness Dad gave no ground. He fought longer and harder than anyone could ever have expected him to. He never asked for or expected sympathy and he maintained his fierce independence right up to the last. When every treatment had been tried he made the decision to contact the MAiD Program, which was a Godsend. It allowed him the dignity and the control that has always been so important to him.

Dad, you lived a good life. You gave all of us so many gifts: humour, perseverance, hope and grit. You were kind, gentle and the absolute best Father anyone could ever ask for. You fought hard. Harder than anyone had a right to ask of you and now you are at rest. We will miss you every day of our lives but you were tired. We saw it. We know you will watch over us and we will see you again one day. We love you, Big Guy