Wayne Edgar Barrie, 76, a resident of Slate River, Ontario, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024.
Wayne was born in Fort William on March 21, 1948 as the only child of Allan Roy and Elaine Rita Barrie (Brassard) of Slate River, Ontario. Wayne was predeceased by both of his parents. Wayne grew up on the Barrie Homestead and Dairy Farm until he decided to become a proud Electrician of the IBEW Local 402. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Cheryl Lynn Olenic. They had three children and six grandchildren.
Wayne always liked challenges and he built the three houses that they lived in over their 54 years of marriage. Wayne was a hard working man with many talents. He had a sand and gravel business and was an electrician for 45 years. He started his career as an apprentice electrician with Peterson Electric and worked on major local construction projects as a journeyman and foreman for the following companies: Johnson Electric, Strachan Aiken Electric, E.S. Fox Electric, Comstock Electric, Venasky-Pouru Electric and Stuart Olson Electric. He was also proud of his work and involvement in the Canada Games Complex, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the Ontario Power Generation Stations (OPG).
In his spare time, Wayne enjoyed serving as a board member on the Committee of Adjustment in Oliver-Paipoonge Township. He was also instrumental in the development of girl’s hockey in Thunder Bay. He was very involved in hockey and was a provincial representative, a coach and manager and always enjoyed watching hockey, especially supporting his grandkids.
Wayne was a man of integrity who was willing to share his talents and knowledge. There was no project too big or too small for Wayne to take part in.
Wayne loved the outdoors and the family camp at Graham Lake and he especially enjoyed fishing. He also enjoyed gardening, working in the garage on numerous projects and wintering in Texas during his retirement years. His wit, outgoing personality and honesty drew others to him. He made friends wherever he went!
Wayne is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, Allen (Carina) Barrie of Slate River, ON, Lisa (Bob) Montrose of Byron, MN (Sarah (Nick) Moore, Katelyn Montrose, Nicholas Montrose) and Bernard (Nicole) Barrie of Blaine, MN (Beck Barrie, Hutchison Barrie and Sullivan Barrie).
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at 1:00pm at the NorWester Hotel and Conference Centre in the Kaministiquia Room, 2080 Hwy 61, Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1B8. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
