John Barry Richard ‘Bear’
1957 - 2026
He laughed hard, loved hard, he was a little reckless, a little frugal a little stubborn and he lived life his way. He was adored by many family and friends. He loved his Habs, the London Knights and the Blue Jays. He loved the game of golf both to play and to watch. He loved live music, saw the Stones too many times to count, followed Helix all over south western Ontario in the late 70s/80s, attended many BluesFests and was an avid concert goer.
We’re so sad to share that on June 16th at 11:15pm we said goodbye to Bear. He was surrounded by family and friends and we were drinking Labatt blue listening to My Way by Frank Sinatra when he passed peacefully.
He loved family; his nieces; Betty, Lily, Bertie and Madison, his nephews Jason, Todd, Kaelen and their children. He loved his two brothers, Michael Glenn & Joseph Harvey. Most of all, his daughter, Pauline was his pride and joy. He took a shining to Pauline’s fiancée Tom, as soon as he met him. He will truly rest in peace knowing that Pauline will be in good hands with a great husband. The love of his life, Sue Johnson had the honour of sharing life, family and many adventures together for almost 50 years.
He took the loss of both parents, Rick and Marie, sister in law Sigrun and her husband Brian, brother in law Jon, sister in law Michelle ‘Mish’ and way too many dear friends very hard.
His vibrant, passionate personality has been fading since fighting lung cancer in 2019. We ask that all who knew him, remember him as the funny, often loud and vibrant man that he was. In celebration of him please your favorite Rolling Stones song and give someone a great big bear hug. We have missed the man he was for a while and now will miss the quiet, gentle man he has been most recently.
Barry had signed his donor card. His eye tissue has been provided to two people with cornea damage to improve their vision.
Barry has been cremated and a small family internment will take place at Woodland Cemetery.
A celebration of life will be held at Eastside Bar and Grill, Hamilton Road London, Sunday July 5, 2-4 pm. Dress code would be Canadian tuxedos, ball caps and Rolling Stones merch.
Messages and condolences for the family may be left in the comments box below.