by Todd
It’s safe to say if it weren’t for Darren Barefoot, there wouldn’t be a Denim & Steel. Darren was a co-organizer of the Northern Voice conference series where Tylor and I met more than 15 or so years ago. Time sure goes by.
Earlier this week, Darren passed away after an intermittent but prolonged illness. We’ve lost a friend and collaborator through Capulet Communications, the agency he ran with his wife, Julie, and a team of remarkable people.
I met Darren nearly 25 years ago when we were both starting our careers. We were technical writers at a software company, and together were a little liberal arts island in a very technical team. We got along and worked together well.
After a few years our careers took different directions, myself in interaction design and product management, and Darren into marketing as he and Julie hung out Capulet’s shingle. Years later, Tylor and I reconnected after that conference and from there our own journey started.
Darren lived his life well. His work focussed on helping environmental organizations achieve changes in law and the creation of protected areas. He showed great care for his team and their growth, and this was often an inspiration to us.
His pursuits of interest were appropriately quirky and compelling, and he had a knack for communicating clearly and affably whether writing or speaking. He had a voice made for radio, but radio never managed to land him. In conversation he was warm and lively but never crowded the room.
What Darren left behind is what lies ahead for all of us: to dedicate our work to doing good, to treat others well, to follow our interests with joy and share what we learn, to be honest and clear in our dealings. In short, to live up to the example that he set just by being himself.
—
A memorial fund managed by the Vancouver Foundation has been set up to help mentor the next generation of communication professionals committed to defending our climate. Even if you didn’t know Darren, contributing to this fund is a great way to continue his work.