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Laurence Wilkinson "Chip" Barrett

May 29, 2023

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August 10, 1944 - May 29, 2023
Chip Barrett died peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children on May 29th, 2023, at the age of 78 in White Rock, British Columbia.
Husband of 54 years to Cynthia Barrett and father to Lindsay Nilsson (nee Barrett) and Timothy Barrett. He was a beloved grandfather to Eli and Brady Barrett, and Elsa Nilsson.
Chip is remembered by his brother, Flavelle Barrett and wife Elizabeth, his brother Michael Barrett (and wife Jennifer, predeceased), and his step siblings, Robb Bradford and Jennifer Heintzman.
He is predeceased by his stepmother June Heintzman and his step-sister, Meredith Heintzman.
Born to Flavelle and Hazel Barrett in Toronto on August 10, 1944, Chip attended Upper Canada College and then the University of British Columbia where he studied architecture while playing football for the UBC Thunderbirds. He was a first-round draft pick of the CFL in 1966 and played defensive back for the Toronto Argonauts and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers through to the early 1970s.
He retired to live and raise a family in White Rock where he practiced architecture and was an active member of the local community. Chip was a co-founder of the Canadian Open Sandcastle Competition with good friend and former Mayor of White Rock, Tom Kirstein; an event that brought hundreds of thousands of people to the beaches of White Rock in the 1980s.
More recently, Chip served as the Chair of the White Rock Christmas Day Dinner, an event for anyone who would otherwise be alone or lonely on Christmas Day.
The family wishes to thank the excellent and compassionate care provided by Peace Arch Hospital. Donations of remembrance may be made to the White Rock Christmas Day Dinner care of the current Chair, Mr. Brian Hagerman (bghagerman@gmail.com).