1954 – 2025
Barry was born in July 29, 1954 in Penticton to Helen and William Halbauer. He spent his early years in the town of Okanagan Falls (Pop. 300) with its rolling hills and a view of Peach Cliff.
Growing up in the interior meant lots of time in the water. Barry and his friends would jump off of the dam that gave OK Falls its name. When Barry was a little older, he would float on his back across Lake Okanagan, still and calm amid the boaters and summertime travellers.
That serene poise would be a hallmark of Barry's life. It was his steadiness, reliability and good humour that helped him advance from the CN train yard in Edmonton to Trainmaster in a career spanning 34 years.
He also kept his cool when he met the love of his life, Jean Marie Ditto, through his sister Vivian at their other sister Linda's wedding. She was introduced as a co-worker of Vivian's at the Edmonton Journal. The two were inseparable from there. They were married in 1976 and travelled to more than a dozen countries together. They also shared their lives, love and generosity with their two kids, Jason & Jaime.
After Jean passed in 2017, Barry continued his travel and adventure, travelling to Greece, Portugal and the Sunshine Coast of Australia.
He remained tranquil even after a life-changing accident in 2020. Through it all, he was quick with a joke, befriending every doctor, nurse and health care aide he met. He was unwavering in his devotion as a kind and loving husband, father and grandparent.
He passed away on February 28th, 2025 from pneumonia. He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Barry is survived by his two children, Jason (Erika) Halbauer and Jaime (Chris) Van Someren; four grandchildren, Parker, Keaton, Ellis and Theodore; two sisters, Debbie and Linda; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barry's name to: Spinal Cord Injury Alberta. https://sci-ab.ca/donate/
To share photos, memories, and condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Funeral Home
(780) 458-2222
