Obituary of Barry Frederick Craddock
March 26, 1949 - May 21, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Barry Craddock. After a health battle this winter and spring, Barry passed away from complications of sepsis on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the WRHN at Queen’s Campus (formerly St. Mary’s Hospital). His final days were spent at home with his devoted wife, Elaine, by his side, and included frequent visits with his daughter, grandkids and friends, and watching spring come alive outside.
He is survived by his wife Elaine, his brown-eyed girl Kerri-Lynn, his son-in-law John Melrose, his grandchildren, Matilda and Finn, whom he cherished above all else, his treasured older brother Rick (Nora) Craddock, his beloved younger sister Linda (Peter) Craddock, his niece and nephews, and many extended family members. He is predeceased by his parents, Mike and Jean Craddock.
Barry was a calming presence in all of our lives. Our rock. He was helpful to everyone he knew in his every capacity, whether snowblowing a driveway, fixing a computer, offering technical advice, or driving Kerri and her friends to school (or later, home from the bar!). Barry loved music, especially guitars, and he owned many over the years. He played in bands from his teen years through to his fifties. He was handy and enjoyed building things, like bicycles at his dad’s store and the gazebo in his backyard on Anita Ct. Always an early adopter of technology, he was the first in the neighbourhood with a car phone and the internet. He always had “the latest” innovation. Business came naturally for him from the early days at Marshall Wells and The Bay, to the heydays of Fisher Price, Garfield and Snoopy, to modern environmental industries in the 2000s. He loved good storytellers, respected expertise, and had a sharp sense of humour. He loved cars (preferably of the fast variety) and cruise nights with his T-bird. He enjoyed quality TV shows and good movies (especially Christmas ones); and he loved beautiful Christmas lights. He was a proud dad. He was a devoted champion of Elaine's pottery craft. He savoured meals with family and friends. He wasn't fancy, but he had great taste. He enjoyed travel, with business and personal trips taking him around the globe. He loved returning to Florida year-after-year for Disney and golf trips, though his favourite spot was undoubtedly Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. He was great in pools (the kind of dad that tossed you from his shoulders and flipped you from your floatie). He loved Saturday mornings with Michael Smerconish and Sunday afternoons with the NFL. He was a proud Canadian, especially when it came to hockey (and the 1972 Summit Series, in particular). He loved the Montreal Canadiens (even if it stressed him out to watch them), the Toronto Blue Jays (when they were winning...), and his Edmonton teams (the Oilers and the Elks). He loved animals, especially his dogs Shelby, Charlie, his granddog Roxy, and he wouldn’t want us to forget the Foxboro Green chipmunks. Barry loved playing endless hours of Diablo with his brother, Rick, and nephew, Dave. He loved a good Crown Royal with friends and his son-in-law, John. He loved cuddles with Matilda and Finn and watching them play. And, of course, more than anything, he loved Elaine, Kerri-Lynn and his grandkids who brought him endless joy. Barry was a generous spirit with the biggest heart, and he will live in ours forever.
We’d like to thank the physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers at WRHN at Queen’s Campus for their tireless care of Barry and support of our family in his final months, along with his dedicated specialist physicians - Dr. Azim Gangji, Dr. Louise Vitou and Dr. Perry Mayer – and their amazing staff. Barry considered them all friends and admired them greatly.
Thank you Barry, for everything.
Cremation has taken place. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to Diabetes Canada, the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford Perth, or SickKids | The Hospital for Sick Children may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, 519-745-8445, www.erbgood.com.