Obituary of Barrie Wilson

James Samuel Barrie Wilson, of Ottawa, ON, passed away on June 8th, 2025.  He was 83 years old, “in his 84th year”, as he liked to say.  And, his wife Brenda (née Dale) of 56 years, and his children Angela (Naval) and Matthew (Tina) were with him every step of the way.

Dad was the youngest of three brothers to Ronald (Diane) of St. Albert, AB, and Wayne (Grace née Horner) of Ottawa, ON, who passed away in 1997, all growing up together in Shawville, QC.  It was there, from an early age, that he discovered his love for skating and playing hockey with great friends while getting stronger trying to keep up helping his uncle on the creamery truck.

Barrie, as he’s known to many - and Poppo to two, Sam, Jimmy, and B-Love - was, indeed, loved by all.  The lights of the Forest Inn grew a little brighter that fateful night when he asked his wife-to-be, Brenda, to dance.  ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ began and the rest is history.  Their wedding day and the births of their children were among many of the happiest days of his very good life.  

Working as an OC Transpo operator for 32 years introduced him to a variety of colourful people and experiences.  He always smiled remembering his youngest passengers but, with his special tone, when needed, he could even make those in the back of the bus behave.  It was always special to be riding on Dad’s bus.  In particular, on New Year’s Eve when we, as kids, were so excited handing out the paper transfers to the passengers.  Dad was proud of being a bus driver and it showed because throughout his final week of work, he brought home gifts from many of his “regulars” from his route.  It was then that he actually realised he would be missed.  To him, he was just doing his job, but he did it naturally well, never taking shortcuts or compromising his professionalism.   Simply, he was hardworking yet humble.   Then, in his well-earned retirement, Puttering and Plaid Shirts quickly became his middle names while continuing to dote even more on Mom.  

Family life suited Dad’s calm and soft-spoken yet strong demeanour.  He taught us to skate on a rink made with other neighbourhood Dads.  We kids learned our way around tools and home projects.  He taught us to read, to love walking in nature.  There wasn’t a toboggan hill that he did not try with us.  Ask him to show up to a sporting or special event and there he would be, smiling with pride.  He was firm(ish) and taught by example rather than lecture-and-consequence.  His love for Brenda never wavered.  It was not flashy but it was steadfast.  He supported his kids the best way he knew and would do anything for us.  We have our dry sense of humour thanks to his quick wit and quiet, artfully timed remarks.

Later life was coloured by a cancer diagnosis in his fifties and, more recently, Parkinson’s Disease.  With the help of his family and the resolve to just keep living, he did just that.  No matter what was asked he did it with a familiar shrug of the shoulders and ‘ok’.  That, and a bit of maple walnut ice cream, the magic elixir.  His fractured hip and resulting complications took the last of his energy.  Even then, he just wanted to go for a walk.  

The family would like to thank his long-time doctor and friend Dr. James Gill who has seen Barrie through everything, always finding time for a chat and a hug and a pat and a rub on Dad’s back.  Drs. Sharma and Caines provided excellent orthopaedic care.  Dr. A. Bruni, his palliative doctor, shepherded not just Dad but the entire family with deft care and compassion.  And to the nursing staff of 4D at the Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH), your gentle care and kind hearts will not be forgotten.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice in Dad’s honour.

We raise our glass of Scotch, or a beer, even a cup of coffee to the man we know and love.  

Family and friends are invited to join a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 22nd at Pinecrest Remembrance Services, 2500 Baseline Road from 2-5pm.