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249 Grand Trunk Ave, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3

Barry Atkins September 1, 1939 - February 7, 2022

With very sad hearts, the Atkins family announces the passing of their husband, father and grandfather, Barry Atkins on February 7, 2022.

Barry is survived by his wife Maggie, son Michael (Monique) of Dryden, daughter Marnie (Sean) Pronger of Costa Mesa, California and grandchildren Oliver and Trey Atkins (Jayde Wolski), and Kaia and Vann Pronger and his sister Sharon (Doug) Hughes of Stratford and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents Elmer and Marie and his brother David.

Barry was born September 1, 1939 in Stratford, Ontario. After he completed high school and college, he decided to pursue a career in policing. He joined the OPP which eventually brought him up to Northwestern Ontario where the stars would align and he would end up in Dryden, meeting the love of his life and his future wife of 57 years, Maggie. Even though Barry was not from here, he was the type of person who was all about community and connecting with anyone he met along his life’s path. Barry and Maggie married on July 25, 1964. They made an amazing hard-working team. Their first business was the Fin and Feather tourist camp on Eagle Lake. Over the years they made hundreds of lifelong friends. Soon, Barry and Maggie welcomed their children Michael and Marnie. The busy young parents sold the Fin and Feather and embarked on their next adventure.

If you have ever enjoyed a Teen Burger and rings in Dryden you have Barry to thank for that. Barry and Maggie built Dryden’s drive thru A&W restaurant in 1974. Their hard work earned them top honors in the A&W franchise world and for over 24 years the restaurant was responsible for employing many people in Dryden. If you saw the Great Root Bear around, you knew Barry was near by. He was a respected boss and many employees worked for him for many years.

Students would work for him through their high school years and many came back to visit in years to follow. If your resume said you had worked for Barry Atkins, you had a really good chance of landing another good job because having him as a reference meant you were a top prospect.

The time eventually came when Barry was ready for something new and with a heavy heart, he retired from the A&W and handed the keys over to new owners. It was an emotional decision because of all the amazing relationships that he had made over so many years. If you have ever been in a crunch and didn’t know what to make for dinner you can thank Barry for bringing M&M Meat Shops to Dryden. After about 10 more years serving the community, the time came for Barry to finally hang up his entrepreneurial hat and retire, and retire he did. Barry and Maggie were Palm Springs bound. During his 23 years there, he became part of a loving community that would produce lifelong friendships. Barry was a strong believer in the importance of community and the moment he came to Dryden, he became an active member and a huge supporter of others in his new home town.

Barry was also a huge sports fan. He played hockey and baseball and enjoyed golfing and curling. He regularly supported all different teams in Dryden with generous sponsorships, supporting many teams and events, always giving back to the community that had supported him for so many years. Barry believed in the importance of service to others and his membership in service groups like the Lions club and Knights of Columbus.

 

Visitation will take place on Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home. Covid restrictions will apply.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church with Father Alan Campeau officiating. The family asks that only close family and friends attend due to limited capacity. (Max 80)

Cremation will follow and a private interment will take place at a later date.

Condolences(20)

  1. REPLY
    Sharon Hughes says
    February 11, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    My heart was filled with sorrow and my eyes with tears hearing about Barry passing away. Know that I am thinking of you Maggie and family and wish you strength as you deal with so much grief. Know that Barry will continue to live in our hearts. May God grant you strength and ease your pain.

  2. REPLY
    Vicky Realini says
    February 11, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    So sorry to hear of Barry’s passing. Please take comfort in knowing that others care and share in your loss.

  3. REPLY
    Keith and Faye McCready says
    February 11, 2022 at 9:42 pm

    Faye and I send a heart filled condolence on the passing of Barry. He was a friend, and fellow slow pitch player for many years. You will be missed in the community. Maggie, Mike and Marnie, we send you and your families our deepest sympathy on your loss. God bless you all.

    • REPLY
      Lynne Oltsher says
      February 12, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      Maggie, Mike, and Marnie and Families my heart goes out to you. I am so sad to hear of Barry’s passing. In time I hope your sad tears turn to fond memories. With deepest Sympathy

      • REPLY
        Penny Symons says
        February 15, 2022 at 5:58 am

        Maggie and family I was very sad to hear of Barry’s passing.. I offer you my most sincere condolences. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

  4. REPLY
    Fred & Jan Butler says
    February 12, 2022 at 1:10 am

    Dear Maggie &:Family,
    Words cannot express our feelings at this time. We are heart broken …. our memory bank is on over load replaying all the great times we had in Palm Desert, Dryden and Winnipeg.
    We wish we could attend both services but it is not possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love you.

  5. REPLY
    Brian and Jo Anne Bates says
    February 12, 2022 at 4:02 am

    Our condolences to the Adkins family. Barry will be missed. Jo Anne and I were saddened by the news. Many fond memories of the Barry and Maggie team. ?❤️

  6. REPLY
    Deb Leonzio says
    February 12, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    My deepest sympathy ❤️‍?. Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time ?

  7. REPLY
    Pat Hardy says
    February 12, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    Maggie, I am so sorry to hear about Barry.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ?

  8. REPLY
    Don & Heather Compardo says
    February 12, 2022 at 3:08 pm

    In our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

  9. REPLY
    Glenice says
    February 12, 2022 at 3:15 pm

    Dear Maggie and family
    Keith and I are so sorry for your heartbreaking loss of Barry. You have our deepest sympathy at this time. Hoping you find strength and love in your family and friends in the days ahead. Glenice & Keith

  10. REPLY
    Neil & Elaine says
    February 12, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    Our prayers are with you Maggie, and your family, to keep strong moving forward. We have fond memories of the many fun, adventurous times in Palm Desert Greens. We so treasure knowing the two of you and the friendship and care always shown. Barry’s laughter, smile and mischievous nature will be remembered. Our sincere best wishes are heart felt for family and friends moving into the future. May God bless.

  11. REPLY
    Ted Ryczko says
    February 12, 2022 at 7:16 pm

    I met Barry on a Canada 3000 flight from Toronto to the Caribbean in the mid 1990’s, and had a great chat with him and Maggie. Maggie and her sister, Fatima, came to Dryden with their family some time in the mid 1950’s, and after seeing them in church every Sunday, my brother, Joe, and I, referred to them as “those good looking Portuguese girls”. Before I left Dryden in 1964, to become an Air Force pilot, I knew that one of the good lookers married an OPP COP who was temporarily posted to Dryden, but I lost contact with Drydenites after serving all over the world with the Air Force. Upon retiring from the Air Force, I became an airline Captain with Canada 3000, and after I gave my announcement when leveled off at altitude on a flight to the Caribbean, the purser told me that there was a couple on board who knew me from Dryden, and I invited them into the cockpit. After Maggie introduced me to Barry, we had a great discussion about the good old days, and I told them about the time that I spent an afternoon with Fatima’s husband’s grandfather, Tom Davidson, who was the pioneer who cleared the land on my dad’s farm, and explained how every field was cleared using a broad-axe, horses, and a stone bolt: Barry and Maggie’s cockpit visit was very memorable. My sincere condolences to Maggie and family for their loss of Barry.

  12. REPLY
    Kevin Kameda says
    February 12, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    Maggie and family, sorry to hear of your loss.

  13. REPLY
    Keri Aitken-Toby says
    February 13, 2022 at 9:30 pm

    I just learned of this sad news this weekend. So sorry for this loss, Maggie, Mike and Marnie. Barry was one of my first bosses and one of my greatest supports. Always kind, generous and wanting to know how things turned out. He will be missed.

  14. REPLY
    Cynthia Euler-Charlton says
    February 14, 2022 at 1:06 am

    Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.

  15. REPLY
    Wayne and Linda McCallum says
    February 14, 2022 at 5:47 am

    Sorry to read about Barry`s passing. Hope you can draw some comfort in the fact that so many remember him as a real asset to the community and a good friend. We do.

  16. REPLY
    Dan LaBelle says
    February 14, 2022 at 10:03 pm

    My sincere condolences to the Atkins family. Barry hired me at A&W in the early 90’s as a young teenager. To this very day, I still tell people that A&W and working for Barry (and Mike) was my favourite job ever!! Barry was such a great man and had tremendous respect for all of his staff for which his staff had tremendous respect for him. May you rest in peace Barry.

  17. REPLY
    INGE DESAUTELS says
    February 15, 2022 at 4:56 pm

    Maggie and family, thinking of you in this time of sorrow. Peace,, Prayers, and Blessings. With heartfelt condolences

  18. REPLY
    Fred & Jan Butler says
    February 8, 2024 at 8:49 pm

    Maggie,
    Two years have passed and it seems like yesterday that we all had those fun times together.
    We miss Barry … hope to see you sometimes 💕

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DRHC Foundation through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3

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