Barry Hornsby Always `Said It With Flowers'

Barry Hornsby, an ascot-wearing Englishman who in his 35 years with Crissey Flowers & Gifts created bouquets for many prominent Seattle families, "said it with flowers" - to paraphrase the florist motto - and said it elegantly.

Even after semi-retiring in 1984 as chief salesman at Crissey's Fifth Avenue shop, he came in at the request of customers to handle flowers for special occasions.

Working from designs created by the Crissey family or using his own ideas, he created floral effects for several Seattle-made films, including the wedding bouquet Jacqueline Smith carried in a 1983 television movie on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

"He was just a special person," said Sten Crissey, who runs the business begun in 1942 by his father, James Crissey. "Barry had a genuine concern for the welfare of customers and the store."

Mr. Hornsby died last Friday (May 7) of cancer. He was 84.

"He had a dry sense of humor, very British," said Crissey. "I was concerned seeing Barry and how he looked . . . four hours before he passed away.

"But the nurse said last week he was doing the cha-cha out in the hall with one of the nurses. That was quintessential Barry. He loved life and participated fully."

Born into a large family in a village near Leeds in an industrial section of England, Mr. Hornsby left school at 14 to learn a trade.

He became an office boy, then manager, at a tannery. Artistic by nature, he also appeared in local operettas.

He left England in 1948 to fulfill his dream of coming to the United States. A friend in Seattle found him a sponsor and a display assistant's job at the old Frederick & Nelson store.

In 1949, Mr. Hornsby applied for a job at Crissey's. He began sweeping floors and making flower deliveries.

He kept his eyes open, asked questions and soon was entrusted with "building" flower arrangements, as it is called in the trade. He became known for bridal and debutante bouquets.

He also always had flowers inside his apartment and on his deck in the lower Queen Anne Hill neighborhood. Some of his designs were featured in local publications.

Survivors include his sister, Edith Scott of Morley, England; four nieces in England and Australia; and his longtime roommate, John Gessner.

At his request, no services are planned. Donations may go to the Health Information Network, P.O. Box 30762, Seattle, WA 98103.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbeers@seattletimes.com