Obituary

Barry Gregory Ziniewicz was born April 30, 1951 in Elk Point, AB to Alex and Alice (nee Rachinski).

On October 18, 2021, surrounded by his family and loving wife of 31 years, Jill, Barry died courageously and peacefully.

The day Barry passed away the  nurse came  into his room to write the shift changes on the whiteboard.  She left the room and without saying a word, Barry’s son went to the whiteboard, picked up the marker and wrote beside Barry’s name, BEST DAD EVER.  Barry is survived by his six children, Christie, Jennifer, Angela (Brayden), Jessica (Jesse), Elliot & Georgia (Cameron); as well as eleven grandchildren,  Casey & Claire; Mia (John), Tatum (Stu), Gavin & Rowan; Ryerson, Ashtyn & Eastyn; Anya & Colter.  He is also survived by his mother, Alice; sisters, Darlene & Elaine; brother, Peter.  Barry was predeceased by his sister, Carol in 1974;  and his father, Alex in 1998.

Barry’s  strong work ethic was his signature.  Twelve days before he passed away he had hauled 8 loads of equipment throughout Alberta.  He spent his early years logging, trucking and batching concrete.  He also received his Millwright, Power Engineer  and at 59 returned to NAIT to do his Crane and Rigging Ticket.  He was the oldest one in the class!  In the late 80’s Barry bought property along the North Saskatchewan River, North of Beauvallon.  He took up cattle ranching with his wife Jill – even though they had NO idea what they were doing.  Logging he did know well though and so he set about to clear pasture land one load of logs at a time.  He would fall, skid, delimb and then deliver the load to Athabasca all in the same day, by himself!  The trucker in him then resurfaced and he decided to haul heavy equipment from Georgia, USA to as far north as Dawson City, YT.  He would return from a trip and on his “days off” he would rebuild trucks!

Barry’s work ethic drove him, but recreation was also important to him.  As a teenager he played Bass Guitar in a band in Fort Saskatchewan, swam a mile a day and played 100 games of rec hockey a year.  On a warm summer day, he’d hop on his Harley and head to Jasper for poutine!  As the years went by the guitar, skates and Harley were replaced with huge  outdoor bonfires, a  wiener stick and a great big piece of Kubasa – surrounded by his family and friends.

Barry had a passion for politics and loved to share his views on religion.  At times it was harsh and firm, but one always knew what he believed.  He had a deep love for his Lord and was completely humbled that Jesus would accept someone like him.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest thou this?”    John 11:25-26 KJV

An outdoor Celebration of Barry’s life will be held on Thursday, October 28 at 11:00 am at the Ziniewicz Farm (Green Sign 95054 TWP Rd 552). Dress casually and bring a blanket. Following the service please join the family to lay Barry to rest in the Glendon Pentecostal Cemetery, Glendon where his Grandpa is buried. A livestream of the service will be available at meet.google.com/hxe-dwfd-pcm.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Reformed by Grace Baptist Church of Vermilion c/o 5626-51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1.  To send condolences online, please visit www.gracegardensfuneralchapel.com.

GRACE GARDENS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5626 – 51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1 780-645-2677