Barney Bangs, founder and former CEO of Hawkesbury-based Tulmar Safety Systems, has passed away.
Bangs, who was 69 years old, died suddenly on Aug. 11, according to his obituary.
In a post on LinkedIn, current Tulmar president and CEO Patrick Tallon said it was “a very difficult loss” for the company.
“Many people at Tulmar worked alongside Barney for years and knew him as both a colleague and a friend,” he wrote. “His legacy is about much more than a business. It is reflected in the people he hired, mentored and believed in, and in the relationships he built throughout our industry and our community.”
Bangs first joined the business that would become Tulmar as an accountant, later becoming a partner at the company, then sole owner. For decades, he served as president and CEO, growing the Canadian aerospace and defence company’s team to 120 people.
He also expanded its offerings beyond contract manufacturing to include design, engineering, testing and advanced manufacturing, creating products to protect military and aviation personnel.
Bangs transitioned out of the role in 2024, when the company completed a management buyout that transferred majority ownership to Tallon. Bangs remained involved as executive chair and majority shareholder.
Tallon said Bangs was a close personal friend and mentor.
“He gave me the opportunity to lead Tulmar and later helped make it possible for me to become an owner of the company,” Tallon wrote. “His confidence in me changed the course of my professional life.”
Beyond Tulmar, Bangs served on the board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries and chaired committees for the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. His work involved advocating for small and medium-sized Canadian businesses in the sector.
Born Bernard Eliphalet Bangs in Hawkesbury in 1956, he is remembered by his family for his “larger-than-life presence.”
“Barney was determined, competitive, curious and endlessly persistent—sometimes famously so,” his obituary said. “When he believed in a person, an idea, his community or his family, he fought for it. He brought energy to every undertaking and was happiest when bringing people together.”
A family man, he was the husband of Jane, father to Ryan and Rob, and father-in-law to Melissa-Anne and Karolina, with three grandchildren. He was also brother to Jim, Judy and Dan.
For decades, he lived with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and spoke openly about his experience. As he worked to address the stigma surrounding the illness, he also supported organizations advancing mental health care, treatment and research.
Though his obituary said his mind was always on work, never missing The Globe and Mail business section, he also loved the Doobie Brothers and was always cheering on the Montreal Alouettes and Montreal Canadiens.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Nov. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club.
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Hats off!
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