Carolyn Julie Brayiannis

With broken hearts we regret to announce that Carolyn passed away peacefully on April 21 at Hospice Simcoe in Barrie after a two-year hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.  Her courage and determination during her fight against cancer was a testament to her desire to always live life to the fullest. 

Carolyn grew up in Burlington and then attended Sheridan College.  After college she got a job at the Oakville Beaver.  It was while she was also working another PT role to help out a friend at Associated Mills Distributors that a colleague invited her out after work for a social and fate would have it, she met Andy and there started their romance.    

Carolyn left Burlington and married Andy on September 3, 1995, and they moved to Barrie in December of that year to start their new life together.  The role of “Mom” came in 2000 with the birth of their first son Carter and again in 2004 with the birth of their second son Jake.  Carolyn loved being a mom for her boys and so much so that she was often looked at as a second mom to many of her sons friends.

Always up for a social or planning the next gathering, she loved good food and drink.  Carolyn was the friend who got you singing karaoke, dancing and rocking out.  Carolyn was the ultimate host, and no one will forget her charcuterie boards.  She always looked for the best in people.

Carolyn worked at the Barrie Advance for 27 years.  As Carolyn does, she formed many close friendships with colleagues and clients that transcended outside of the workplace. 

Carolyn is survived by her parents Mel and Julie Raffay, her best friend and soulmate Andy, her two boys Carter and Jake; her brother Andrew (Christine) and their son Jayden; her sister Val and her children Jessica (Mike) and Jennifer (Bernard) and great nephews; Mother-in-law Sally; brother-in-law Dean (Holly) and their children Katrina and Sydney; brother-in-law John (Marion) and their children Michael and Nicole.  Carolyn was predeceased by her father-in-law Peter Brayiannis.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date when we are able to gather and remember Carolyn in a way she deserves.  In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Simcoe would be appreciated.