Barry Royce Poppenheim of Greenwood, British Columbia, passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday, December 17, 2016 with his life partner James Bruce Grattan at his side. Barry was 67 years of age.
Barry was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on Tuesday, January 11, 1949 to Jack and Lena (nee Petroschuk) Poppenheim. He grew up in Rhein, Saskatchewan where he attended school for grades 1 to 8, and then on to Yorkton Composite High School, where he attained his Grade 12 diploma. Barry also attended the University of Regina and the University of Saskatoon.
He then moved west, to Vancouver where he met his life partner Bruce, in March of 1971. Throughout his life, Barry embarked on numerous entrepreneurial ventures and adventures such as the manufacturing of bow ties, beekeeping, a thriving rose propagation business just to name a few, all of which were a resounding success. Barry was also employed by Canada Post Corporation as a Financial Supervisor and resided in Cassiar and Kamloops, British Columbia to fulfill this role. It was the Boundary area of British Columbia that Barry and Bruce both fell in love with and moved to Grand Forks in 1975 from Gibsons, British Columbia. At the time of his passing, Barry was employed with Grand Forks Realty in Grand Forks, British Columbia. Throughout his real estate career, Barry obtained the Top Seller Award several times, for his outstanding performance and service to his many clients. Barry was a loving and caring human being, who always gave back to his community. He was compassionate, caring, generous, a mentor to many and was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. His positive energy, his beaming smile and his contagious and boisterous laugh will be missed by all. He loved, was loved, and he lived his life to its fullest. Barry’s good friend, Margaret Graham, who said on one occasion when she and Barry were walking in her garden, Barry turned to her and said, “I lived the dream”. Indeed he did!
Barry was predeceased by his mother Lena on November 26, 1972 at the age of 51, his father Jack on December 22, 1974 at the age of 66, his brother William John in infancy (1947) and his nephew Mark Evan Cuss on December 3, 2006 at the age of 27.
Barry is survived by his life partner of 45 years, Bruce Grattan of Greenwood, British Columbia, sister Lois Purves (Richard) of Rhein, Saskatchewan, sister Linda Cuss (Evan) of Spy Hill, Saskatchewan and brother Bob Poppenheim of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also survived by his nephew Tyler Purves, Tyler’s wife Tatania and their 3 children. Barry’s great nephews, Aiden Andrew Purves, Jacob Tyler Purves and great neice, Rachel Anna Purves, all of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, along with neice Kristin Kueber and Kristin’s husband George and their 2 sons, Barry’s great nephews Duncan Mark Kueber and Brayden George Kueber, all of Killiam, Alberta. Barry also leaves to mourn his passing, his last surviving uncle, Merlin J. Mroske of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, along with several cousins and his two God Sons, Marcus Graham and Max Graham, who he truly adored.
No service as per Barry’s request. Cremation.