Barry Heyden

Barry Wayne Heyden of West Pubnico, NS, passed away on May 28, 2021, at home. Barry was born in Prince Albert, SK on January 8, 1947. He and his family moved to Duncan, BC where he grew up. He attended high school there, graduating in 1964 and after working in the sawmill for a short while, he left to become a traveling musician for 27 years. Barry studied Linguistics at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. He and his wife, Sylvia, were together for 34 years.

Barry is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia, of West Pubnico, son, Jonathan (Kim) of Kamloops, BC, two grandsons, Lochlan and Liam, sister, Marlene, of Lake Cowichan, BC, and nieces, Joanne (John) and Karyn (Randy) of Vancouver Island, BC., as well as his many, many friends, across Canada and the world.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruth Heyden, and his nephew, Todd.

There has never been a truer statement in the English language than this:  Music was Barry's life. It was through music that he met the love of his life, Sylvia, sitting next to her while waiting to go up on stage to play a set with his band. Thirty-four years later, they are parting ways far too soon. Barry was very proud that his son is serving as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Barry lives on in his son, Jonathan, and his grandsons, Lochlan (6) and Liam (5). He loved his grandsons dearly and was so proud of them and was amazed by how well both Lochlan and Liam can read, loved their antics during video chats, and wanted to foster a love of music in them by giving them his instruments, starting with ukuleles which are about their size. Lochlan and Liam absolutely loved to show Granddad each and every toy they had within reach and demonstrate their prowess on the ukelele Grandad gave them.

There will be no funeral as Barry, ever generous and grateful to medical professionals, donated his body to Dalhousie Medical School. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.