Barry Michael Rezansoff

After going missing on January 12, 2022 following a period of undiagnosed illness and following the May 2020 passing of his wife, Kimberly Ferrill, Barry was located in Columbia County, Oregon on June 26, 2022. Sadly, Barry was confirmed to have passed.

Barry is survived by his father Alex Rezansoff, brother David Rezansoff, nephews Evan and Ryan Rezansoff, niece Bridget Rezansoff, and mother-in-law Sharon Ferrill. He is also survived by his aunt Sylvia Rezansoff, many cousins and beloved pet bird Fernando.

Barry was predeceased by his brother Greg Rezansoff, mother Judy Rezansoff, uncle Jack Yakusik, the Yakusik and Rezansoff grandparents as well as uncles George Rezansoff, Peter Rezansoff, and aunt Francis.

Barry was born in Minnedosa, Manitoba on March 13, 1967, the first child of Judy and Alex Rezansoff. At age one he moved with his parents to Hull, Quebec, where his brother David was then born. The family then moved to Ottawa, residing in the Manordale community for 14 years. Barry attended Manordale public school and was well known as a naturally intelligent person similar in many respects to his mother Judy. He skipped grade 4 on the recommendation of his teachers, and continued to excel in academics attending Greenbank middle school and then Confederation High School to grade 10 where mother Judy previously taught French. It was at Greenbank that Barry began to play the tenor saxophone, travelling to the Toronto area and Florida on school band exchanges. The family moved to Regina Saskatchewan in 1982, and Barry completed high school at Robert Usher Collegiate, excelling in academics and band/jazz band. Barry played high school football, cycled with the Regina cycling club, built and flew model airplanes and electronics, and was a member of several high school clubs.

Barry attended the University of Saskatchewan, graduating in 1989 with a degree in electrical engineering. He had several student work terms with Bell Northern Research/Nortel Networks/Nortel in Ottawa, as well as a stint in Budapest, Hungary. While in Budapest, he was cycling and got hit by a passing car and experienced the kindness of strangers who helped him while not being able to speak any English (or Barry any Hungarian).

Barry settled in Ottawa, began working full time for Nortel, and met and married Kim there. Together they toured Ireland, France, Madagascar, Costa Rica, Peru, Hawaii, and Mexico. They also walked part of the Camino de Santiago, getting their passports stamped at several stages. Barry enjoyed going off the beaten path to watch wildlife, enjoy a beverage, or see a location or its people from a different perspective.

At the height of Nortel’s prominence Barry accepted a transfer to Portland, only to find himself unemployed after a short while as Nortel began to struggle and then finally collapsed. Being unemployed was a new and humbling experience for Barry, as was the tough job market that followed which then saw Barry working night shifts at Home Depot driving a forklift for a year, and then finally working his way back into the Portland tech sector. Barry loved ‘everything Portland’ and found a deep connection to its cycling culture, volunteering, and overall vibe. Barry took great pride with Kim in redoing their backyard and achieving a Silver designation for Certified Backyard Habitat (columbialandtrust.org), and tending to their hummingbird feeders.

An intelligent, compassionate, and sensitive person, Barry was always quick to spot those who needed a hand and tried to make it right. Barry will be remembered for his love of nature, fitness, and his musical abilities on tenor and soprano saxophones. Barry absolutely loved Halloween and enjoyed dressing up for the occasion, as well as displaying the latest decorations.

Thank you to all of those that have been Barry’s friends for many years and did their best in recent years to ease his burden, comfort him, and brighten his day. Special thanks to Ron, Shannon, Donna, Patra, Marsha, Linda, Jamie, Karin, Jenny, Jack, Sean, Bruce, Dave, and Deirdre.

Arrangements for a life celebration will be communicated at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Portland Audubon Society (audubonportland.org).