BARRY WILLIAM FORMAN
July 20, 1943 - November 17, 2011
After a brief illness, and with family by
his side, Barry William Forman passed away
peacefully at his home in Victoria, BC on
November 17, 2011. His calm and courageous
acceptance of the cancer that so quickly
overtook his body made his last weeks a
memorable time of family togetherness;
sharing stories, tears, joys, and above
all, love. He left us in peace.
Barry was born on July 30, 1943, the only
son of Lorne and Minnie Forman and was
raised in Rivers, MB with his sisters
Nanette, Lorna, Judy and Denyse. On June
20, 1964 he married Bette Anderson and
together they raised three gifted
children, Kent (born 1965), Shauna (born
1968), and Jason (born 1971). Barry and
Bette also lovingly accepted the
responsibility of raising Bette's two
younger sisters, Vicki and Suzan, who
lived with them at their home in Rivers
from 1966 until their high school
graduations.
Barry attended Rivers Collegiate and
obtained a B. Science and B. Education
from Brandon University while moonlighting
on the CKX noon TV show with the band, The
Country Gentlemen, and later, The Western
Union. He entered the field of education
as a science teacher with the Rolling
River School Division at Rivers
Collegiate, and soon became the division's
Science Coordinator.
Music played a large role in Barry's life.
He was a skilled fiddler, bass guitarist
and accordion player: a sought-after
performer and recording artist who toured
frequently with son Kent as a fiddling
duo. Kent was, for a time, a professional
violinist and Barry's daughter, Shauna,
thrives at song writing and mentoring
young musical talent.
Forman Motors ("Not that far from you")
was launched in 1973. Barry worked
tirelessly for his fledgling business,
which would eventually grow to include
Forman Ford in Dauphin (1983) and
Northland Ford in The Pas (1993).
Barry's passion for aviation led to his
acquiring his Pilot License and first
private airplane in 1976. Ever the
educator, he passed on his love of flying
to his youngest son, Jason, now a Senior
Captain with Cathay Pacific Airways in
Hong Kong, and his love of business to his
oldest son Kent, owner of Forman Honda and
Forman Mazda in Brandon, MB.
In 2009, Barry retired from business and
relocated to Victoria, BC. Barry was
predeceased by his father Lorne (1978),
his mother Minnie (1991), and
sister-in-law Vicki Broughton (2005). Left
to mourn this great loss are his former
wife Bette Anderson of Victoria with whom
he had reunited; son Kent (Naomi) and
their daughters Ava and Anne of Brandon;
daughter Shauna and her son Joshua Graham
of Calgary, and son Jason of Hong Kong. He
will also be sadly missed by his four
sisters: sister Nanette of Victoria and
her children Maureen Landa-McGavin (Doug)
and Ryan Landa (Valerie); sister Lorna
Short (Gerry) of Rapid City; sister Judith
of Victoria and her daughter Sarah
Svensson, and sister Denyse of Virden and
her daughter Alexandra. He also leaves to
mourn Suzan Ramsey (Don) and their
daughter Lexa, nieces Brodie Anderson
(Brock) and Jena Banville (Bert),
stepdaughters Marcia Kyle and Gennyne
McCune and their mother Lesley, four
great-nephews, many cousins and extended
family.
A memorial service to celebrate Barry's
life will be held at Central United
Church, 327-8th Street, in Brandon, MB on
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
In memory of Barry, please tell your loved
ones over the age of 50 that a routine
bi-annual colonoscopy saves lives. It
would have saved his. Messages of
condolence may be placed at
www.brockiedonovan.com
Arrangements are in care of Brockie
Donovan Funeral Cremation Services
Brandon, MB.
As
published in Winnipeg Free Press on
November 26, 2011
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