Barry Quon
November 6th, 1928 – July 20th, 2024
A life of giving and sacrifice…a life well lived.
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Barry Quon at Providence Healthcare in Toronto, ON, with family by his side, on Saturday, July 20th, 2024.
Barry was born in Hoi Ping, Guangdong Province, China. He left China for Hong Kong with family and would eventually make his way to Canada to seek a better life in the 1950’s. He would go on to marry Sheran (Der) Quon in 1959 and settled in Avonlea, Saskatchewan, where he and family members owned and ran a restaurant and hotel. Avonlea was a very special place for him as this was where the community opened their arms wide, accepted his family as their own, and helped them navigate their new life in Canada.
From Avonlea, Barry, Sheran and their growing family would move to Shaunavon, SK to work at the Star Café before finally settling in Moose Jaw, SK. He worked at Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw until his retirement. He also worked at the National Café for a time to supplement his income with a growing family.
Barry loved his family and would do anything for them. Even though he would work long hours, he always found time to spend with them. He was very involved in what the children’s interests were and in caring about their friends. He especially enjoyed taking the family for picnics and to go fishing.
Barry loved sports and believed that it was very important to stay active. He played basketball and badminton and learned to curl. He liked going for walks after supper. Upon retirement, he started swimming again. He was an avid Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and cheered on any of the Canadian NHL hockey teams, especially the Edmonton Oilers. He held season tickets to the Moose Jaw Canucks and later to the Moose Jaw Warriors games.
Barry was a very social person. After his morning swims, he would meet with his coffee friends at McDonald’s to solve the world’s problems. He was passionate about fishing and he and his friends would go fishing as often as they could. He enjoyed giving back to the community by volunteering to help with various events (Motif, SK Summer & Winter Games, attending or helping out with fundraising events). He was an active member of the Moose Jaw Chinese Athletic Club and the Chinese community. He enjoyed travelling, especially to visit family, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his father and mother, Sau Chu and Mei Kuk Quon; wife, Sheran; eldest son, Norman; and brother, Roy Quon. Barry will be dearly missed by his children: Judy (Jim Yelle), Henry (Lenis), and Corinne (Tim Abellera); daughter-in-law, Sheila; grandchildren: Gabriel and Jared, Mila, Meg and Zachary, Ethan; goddaughter, Margot Keeler; as well as extended family members, relatives, and friends.
Barry’s family would like to thank all the medical and palliative care staff who cared for him.
A Celebration of Barry’s Life will be held on Friday, September 13th, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Pastor Barry Taylor will officiate and a private family interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery. Those not able to attend may view the service by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Barry Quon’s name to either Toronto City Mission, https://www.torontocitymission.com/donate or Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 55 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550
What a beautiful tribute to his life – most definitely a life well lived! God gave him so much spirit and optimism! I loved Uncle Barry dearly and had the special memory of him walking me down the aisle on behalf of my own Dad. He always called me his “nice”. Please accept “hugs and smugs” and deep condolences. Looking forward to seeing him in heaven.
Condolences to the Quon family. I always enjoyed Barry’s exuberant personality whenever he came to the public library. He always said hello and had a kind word.
Kind regards, Ken Dalgarno
I remember Barry very well from his years of working at Providence Hospital. I was a nurse on Surgery (3rd floor) at the time. I remember him being a man of few words, but such a hard worker!!! He looks exactly the same, not a year older – in fact much younger than I remember him. May he rest in peace !
Judy …..I was so sorry to read of your dad’s passing. You have had a lot of years to make many great memories!! Keep them in your heart . You and your dad had a very special relationship. You were both very fortunate to have had each other.
What a wonderful man, Dad, son, son-in-law, grandfather, Uncle, community member.
Larry remembers Mr.Quon with his fur hat on, pacing, up and, down rink-side, when Norm was playing hockey…..
With sadness we heard about Barry’s passing. He had been a good friend and neighbor for many many years that we lost count. He had lived his life to the fullest. He was hard-working, sincere, always ready to give a hand when someone was in need. May he rest in peace. Bless his children for being there for him through his life journey.
Judy and family, I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was quite the guy and I imagine you will all have many wonderful memories about him. I am thinking of you at this time.
Sincere condolences to the Quon’s and extended family. A childhood recollection of Barry is during my dad’s weekly trip to Western Grocers, or any interaction with Barry for that matter, was his kind and gentle manner that he said hello and taking time to talk with me, ask how I was doing. I’m sure there were some nuggets of wisdom imparted along the way. A kind, proud man indeed.
Judy, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead and become treasures you hold in your heart forever.
Henry and Judy, our condolences to you and your family. Florence have fond memories of Barry’s involvement in the Chinese community. May he rested in peace.
Judy, Henry, Corrine and family. Our deepest sympathies to your family on the passing of your Dad. My parents remember him well. You will all have wonderful memories of him.
Sincerely,
Paul & Rose Chow
Jean, Alice (Eugene & Jill) and Ed Chow
To Judy, Henry, Corinne, and your loved ones, our deepest sympathies to you. We hold dear our fond memories of your Dad loyally driving us to Sunday School despite the weather, or making an ice rink in your back yard each winter so we could skate and play hockey. In his quiet way, he taught us to work hard to help others. He is an inspiration and we all miss him.
Judy, Henry, and Corrine – We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Uncle Barry. Reading the other condolences, it’s clear he touched the hearts of so many people. We will always remember his kindness and boundless energetic spirit. Aurora and I extend our deepest condolences to you and your families.
Dear Judy, Henry, Corinne, Sheila and children, your dad/father-in-law was a special friend to our Chow family, I was told since our moms met in the maternity ward. Barry was more than my dad’s fishing buddy and co-boat owner, he was also a frequent and uplifting visitor after my dad was diagnosed with cancer and their fishing days were done. He was blessed to have you all care for him over the years, to have the opportunity to bond with his grandchildren, and he will be fondly remembered. Take care.
Barry was always full of energy and was everyone’s cheerleader! Always sharing in his kids friendships.. driving us to hockey with Norman and lending spirited guidance when needed! What a special human he was!
Fondest memories and condolences to his wonderful family.
Luv’n huggzz from the Tolley clan