Obituary of Barry William Bowen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Barry Bowen of Antigonish, who passed away peacefully at age 79 on Tuesday, December 5^th, with his family by his side. He was the devoted son of the late Grace DesRoches, beloved husband of 54 years to Mary Bowen (Van de Sande) and wonderful father to their five children: Chris (Sharon Clarke), Peter, Lynn (Barry Burke), Brian (Jaime Lypowy) and Laura (Michael Aucoin). Barry was Opa to thirteen beautiful grandchildren who absolutely adored him, as he did them: Kaitlyn, Ashley, Hailey, Matthew, Elise, Jacob, Josh, Amelia, Ben, Will, Callum, Ella, and Grace. He also leaves a large extended family behind.

Barry grew up in Stellarton, Nova Scotia playing hockey on the ponds, and drums in the Cadets, and later moved to Antigonish where he attended St.F.X. University, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He was a respected member of the St.F.X. community, where he worked for 28 years as the Systems Accountant for St.F.X, before retiring in 2004. An avid golfer, handball player and member of the St.F.X softball team, Barry built lifelong friendships through his love of sport, which he passed on to his children, with the family backyard often serving as the neighbourhood ballfield, and Barry as the pitcher.

Barry was very generous with his time and expertise and volunteered on many Boards in the role of Treasurer, including: the Antigonish Golf Club, the Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Antigonish Diocesan Society, to name just a few. He fully enjoyed his many years of retirement with Mary at his side, travelling with family, playing golf, playing cards with his grandchildren, and spending evenings on the deck, listening to music and enjoying the sunset. Barry was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

There will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am in St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Antigonish on Saturday, December 9^th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation.