Barry, a father, grandfather, partner, friend and mentor, passed away on May 6, 2023 after a short sudden illness. He was born on April 28, 1943, first son to parents Cecil Lindsay and Dorothy Viola Smyth in Calgary, Alberta. He is predeceased by both parents Cecil (1969) and Dorothy (1989), and his younger brother Larry Douglas Smyth (1985).
He is survived by his current partner, Midge Albers, together since 1988, and her daughter Wendy Albers. He is also survived by his first wife Helen Smyth, married in 1964, and their two children, son James David (Char) Smyth of Victoria, British Columbia and their children Margaret Paige and Jordyn Elizabeth, daughter Patricia Lindsay Thomas nee Smyth, (Dean) and their two daughters, Madelyn Lindsay and Abigail Catherine. He is also survived by nephews Allen Douglas Smyth and Chal Mathew Smyth.
Barry worked at Palm Dairies before getting his Bachelor of Education in 1969. He taught school in Calgary and then in Vancouver and settled in Mill Bay at George Bonner for many years, retiring in 2003. Barry used to say that he preferred to teach middle school as he felt he could have the best influence on his students and in sports. Barry loved to see kids succeed.
In retirement you could find Barry fishing with his son and friends or sitting on the deck taking in some sun and having a cold one. Also traveling with Midge and seeing some sights and laughing with friends. He loved his granddaughters and was very present to watch them pursue their favorite sport and for many years assisted his son James with coaching volleyball.
A very special and sincere thanks to the ICU staff at Victoria General. Superb people and personal care and just honestly the best support for such an unsure time.
Barry was loved as much he gave love and consider yourself lucky if you ever received one of his bear hugs. Thanks for the kind messages from family and friends. A party to celebrate his life will be determined later.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Maureen Alexander
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Wendy McArthur Auntie Midge, Wendy, Jim, Tricia & girls
Barry was one of the best men I knew in my life. I was on the receiving end of those bear hugs many a time. In the space of a week I lost my own dad and also the man I loved as my Canadian dad.
I am so very sorry for your loss, visiting will never be the same without him there. Sending you all love & hugs.
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Greg Walters Dear Smythe family. My name is Greg Walters. Coach was my PE teacher and basketball coach at George Bonner. Many a morning he picked me up on the highway for early morning practice. Coach Smythe piqued my interest in basketball leading to a successful high school career and full basketball scholarship and a business degree in Montana to launch my life. To me he was dedicated, easy going and fun.
All my best to you all.Greg
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Dave Dougan Midge, Jim, Tricia, Wendy, Allen and Chal; my heartfelt condolences on Barry’s passing. I send this on behalf of all of my family as Barry played a major role in my life as a fellow teacher at George Bonner, right from the first year of my career until I left Bonner 17 years later, as well as in the lives of my 3 kids who all benefitted from Barry’s teaching and coaching when they went through Middle School.
I know that Barry always came to work with the needs and growth of his students first and foremost and it showed both in the successes of his thousands of students as well as the dozens of teams that he spent endless hours coaching over the years of his career and beyond! He taught me a lot about teaching and relating to students, and he always had a great sense of humour and fun! I’m confident that he made a whole lot of his students into much better people because of his influence in their lives!
My thoughts are with all of you as you go through this very difficult time, but hopefully you can enjoy fond memories of your partner, your dad and your Uncle and I’m sure that like they do for me, many of them will bring big smiles to your faces!
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Elaine Stewart For Midge, Jim, Patricia, Helen and family,—— I am so sorry for your loss. Barry was BIGGER THAN LIFE and his friends will miss him too. All the years that He and I worked together at George Bonner were an adventure and very satisfying. I will always think very fondly of this dear man who could always make me smile and laugh.
To all the family,
I am so sorry I was unable to attend Barry’s Celebration of Life but I wanted to send this on behalf of all of my family. Barry played a major role in my husband Peter’s life at George Bonner as well as in the lives of my 3 children (Clinton, Derrick and Michelle) who all benefitted from Barry’s teaching and his many hours of coaching volleyball.
Although I never taught with him he was a good friend and he and Peter had many good times together with many stories. We remember his great sense of humour and the fun times. Our favourite memory was when he dressed up as Santa and paid a visit to our home. My daughter who was very young at the time still remembers the excitement when Santa came to see her.
Having recently lost my husband Peter, I understand what a difficult time this is for all of you and I share your feelings of loss. My thoughts are with all of you.