Herbert Harry (Herb) Barden died at home in White Rock after a year long struggle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in St. Boniface Manitoba, Herb was educated in England and Canada and moved to B.C. as a teenager in the 1960s’. He brought to British Columbia hockey skills honed on the outdoor rinks of the prairies.
Natural ability and dedication to the game provided Herb with the opportunity to play in Canada and the United States. Locally, Herb played for the New Westminster Bruins and the White Rock Gulls. He maintained a close connection with hockey throughout his life, coaching minor league teams and mentoring players in Williams Lake and Quesnel; he very much enjoyed seeing a number of his players graduate to success in the NHL.
British Columbia’s forest industry occupied Herb for almost 40 of his 56 years, his work brought him great satisfaction, in particular, the production and efficiencies aspects of forest products use. Herb hired on to Weldwood in 1964 as a mill hand on the “ green chain” at the New Westminster facility; in the years that followed he served in various management capacities at Williams Lake, Quesnel and Vancouver. Most recently he was Plywood Marketing Manager based in Vancouver. Herb was a Director of COFI. Interest in Weldwood’s corporate affairs continued until the last week of Herb’s life; company news, daily production figures, and in particular West Fraser’s acquisition of Weldwood Canada mattered to him greatly. Colorful memories and words of wisdom are an important part of Herb’s legacy. He has touched and influenced many people’s lives, his sincerity, kindness, and love will always be remembered. Herb Barden was predeceased by his father Harry, mother Phyllis and sister Rosemary. He is survived by his wife Denise, daughter Erica , son A. J. , grandson Jacob, son-in-law Russell, brother David, niece Rebecca, and family and friends here and abroad.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday September 10th at 2 pm in the Chapel at Victory Memorial Park, 2977 King George Highway, South Surrey B.C. Herb requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Quesnel Minor Hockey Association.
“If possible, speak a few sensible words each day”
Goethe