Wishart Barry Mowat
July 30, 1947 – August 25, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wishart Barry Mowat on Friday, August 25, 2023. Barry was born in Winnipeg, MB to Wishart Raymond and Olive Pearl Mowat, and grew up in Greenway and Brandon, MB.
Barry was larger than life and will be fondly remembered for his smile and sense of humour, colourful political debates, and his research on family genealogy. Everyone who knew him, knew his great love for horses, hunting, dogs, and the great outdoors. Barry was consistently the ‘life of the party’; his warm greetings, generous nature, and kind and adventurous spirit made him exceptionally likeable resulting in lifelong friendships that transcended provinces and spanned decades.
Barry started as a land surveyor when he was 18 years old in Brandon, and quickly used his talents to move around to other cities and provinces to assist with many projects. He went to Churchill and Dryden, ON to work for the CNR, and it was in Dryden that he met the love of his life Barbara (Kalka) Mowat. The two of them moved out west to Abbotsford, BC in 1969 where they were married and started a family.
He is survived by his three children: Brent Mowat, Paula Wardle (Alex), and Brittany Manulak (Jason); his five grandchildren: Madeleine Wardle, Maresha Manulak, Spencer Wardle, William Manulak, and Audrey Wardle; his life partner Barbara (Kalka) Mowat; sister Sharleen Mowat; in-laws: Edith Mowat, Nellie and Terry Doering, Giselle and Bill Kalka, and Ray Webb; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins that he loved dearly. He is pre-deceased by his brother William Glenn Mowat, parents Wishart Raymond Mowat and Olive Pearl (Porter) Mowat, and in-laws Sandra Webb, Patsy and Ken Lichty…and of course, his beloved horse Dan and black lab Giley.
Barry worked as a construction surveyor where he was known for his high tolerance abilities which took him on many projects such as the Dry Gulch Bridge, the Juliet Bridge and the Great Bear Snowshed on the Coquihalla Highway; the Surrey to New Westminster Sky Train Bridge for Expo 86; numerous years of Light Rapid Transit work in many cities such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg; and many other rail-work throughout the Prairies.
His survey years came to a sudden end in September 2012 when Barry had a tragic accident leaving him with a major brain injury. True to Barry fashion, he once again proved himself as a tough old cowboy and made huge strides in his recovery, giving the family an additional eleven years with him.
The family would like to thank the Fort Langley Senior’s Home where Barry lived his final years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 29th in Chilliwack, BC; live streaming will be available. Please contact his daughter, Paula Wardle for information: paula@wardleconsulting.com.
If you would like to remember Barry with a gift, please consider donating to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.
