It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Barry Dempster, who left us peacefully on November 27, 2025, while living in Owen Sound. Barry took autonomy over his long battle with Parkinson’s and chose to part this world on his terms with the help of MAID. Barry was born in Toronto, on January 17, 1952, and was formerly of Holland Landing. Adored husband to Karen Ruttan-Dempster (predeceased); beloved brother-in-law to Art, Lea (Brant), Kathleen (Paul). Dear uncle to Elora (Josh), Fritz (Ryan), Nick; godfather to Nathan (Amy and Matthew); and adopted Uncle to Kora and Lukas. Barry will also be remembered by his loving cousins and many wonderful friends. Barry was an abundance: a poet above all, he was also a novelist, short-story writer, editor, reviewer, reader, workshop leader, teacher, mentor, social worker, community builder, gardener, traveller and collagist. To these roles he brought his supreme gifts of attention and response. His passion for art and film, as well as literature of all kinds, led him to serve with the East Gwillimbury Public Library, and to found Southlake Cinemania. He was writer in residence at the Richmond Hill Public Library, instructor with the Banff Writing Studio and Wired Workshop, and led workshops and poets’ walks in Chile, at literary festivals across the country, and in his own neighbourhood. His multiple talents flourished with the devoted support of his wife, Karen.
Barry's life and work celebrate being fully alive. He leaves us lonely and bereft, but blessed by the wisdom in lines like these, from his poem “The Gulls”:
All you can do is walk with your senses
unfastened, daring to be hurt or hailed.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Canada or League of Canadian Poets would be appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to Barry’s family by visiting his memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca. The family would like to make a special thanks to Dr. Munhoz (UHN), Dr. Dooley, the care team at Southbridge, Woodley Services, Wilma, Trevor and Dawna for their dedicated care and friendship to Barry.
