Barrie Stanfield
Barrie Stanfield, 82, passed away May 17, 2022 at the Toronto Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, in the company of his loving family.
A celebration of life gathering will be held from 12:30 to 3:00 PM, Sunday, July 3rd at the Charlottetown Hotel (Provinces Room), 75 Kent St., in Charlottetown, P.E.I. All friends and acquaintances are invited to drop in to remember Barrie.
Barrie was born May 4, 1940 in Vancouver, B.C. to Greta (Skori) and Nils Stensaker (later changed to Stanfield). Barrie’s parents had only recently immigrated to Canada from Norway when he was born. Barrie attended John Oliver High School in Vancouver. In 1963, Barrie married Maxine Robertson, his high school sweetheart. Barrie and Maxine remained life-long best friends until her death in 2019.
During high school, Barrie excelled at track and field. In his senior year Barrie set a Canadian high school record in the 110-yard hurdles. Barrie’s love for the sport of track and field continued throughout his life, both as a competitor in races and as a volunteer coach for young athletes in P.E.I.
Barrie did his undergraduate and masters of science degrees at the University of British Columbia. Barrie and Maxine then re-located to Sacramento, California where Barrie did his PhD work in plant biology. Barrie finished his studies at Western University in London, Ontario.
Barrie worked at the Agriculture Research Station in Charlottetown for 40 years. He also opened, together with Maxine, one of Charlottetown, P.E.I.’s first used book stores, the Book Collector, in 1974. Barrie loved reading and collecting books. He also enjoyed playing golf, gardening, listening to music and going to see movies at the City Cinema. He loved dancing and dinner parties, travelling and spending time with his family. Barrie thought the world of his kids and grandkids and he was very supportive of all of their endeavours.
Barrie is survived by his two sons, Colin Stanfield and his partner Anna Pizzaro of New York, N.Y., Nels Stanfield and his wife Melissa Wilkinson of Toronto, ON, and daughter Erin Stanfield and her husband Bogdan Luca of Toronto, ON; his four grandchildren, Porter, August, Lauren and Kaija, his brother Ralph Stanfield of Vancouver, B.C., along with his in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. Barrie was an incredibly kind and generous man. Barrie loved to laugh and he will be greatly missed.
Nick Falvo
I wasn’t a good athlete, but Barry still welcomed me with open arms to train with this track and field club in the late 1980s. He made it clear to me that I could train as much as I wanted with them, and I don’t recall him accepting any payment. He was very non-pretentious.
Michael Kurliak
I have fond memories of Barrie as my grandpa Ralph’s brother, visiting him when we did a trip to PEI. He was always extremely kind, and I recall him wishing my brother Ben a happy birthday every year because they shared birthdays. Barrie and my grandpa always made a point of staying in touch despite living on opposite ends of the country – their bond inspiring to see. We will all miss Barrie and our condolences to his immediate family.
Laura Hurry
I worked with Barrie at the Research Station in Charlottetown. He was always pleasant and was so interesting to talk to. He was a wealth of information and particularly enjoyed talking about the stock market.
Jeanne Maki
My sympathies to Erin, Colin, and Nels and all the family for your loss. My memories of Barrie are his quiet, friendly personality.
Jane Harris
Dear Erin, my sincerest condolences…Jason always had nice things to say about Barrie.
Gail Arsenault
I worked with Barry at the Research Station in Charlottetown for over thirty years. He was always so patient, kind, and helpful when you into the library. We had lots of wonderful chats over the years. Wishing you all my sincere sympathy at this difficult time. Gail Arsenault, former co-worker
Jeannie Carpenter
I worked with Barrie at Agriculture Canada in Charlottetown. It was a pleasure to work with this kind, gentle man who was never to busy to help in any way. We had lots of chats about our g’kids and how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. May your treasured memories bring you much joy. Sincere sympathy.
Bob Cormack
I only learned of Barrie’s passing today from an obituary in the Vancouver Sun that his brother Ralphe died a few days ago. Barrie was a great friend when I was in Elementary school (Tecumseh) in Vancouver. My family moved away from the area in 1954 but Barrie and I kept in touch for many years. After he left PEI I did not hear from him but did make contact with his son in Toronto and sent him some memorabilia about Barrie several years ago. Fond memories of many years ago.