To describe this gentlemen and I mean that in the true sense of the word, is to describe a man who lived well. He really did! What a life! Born to parents who were deaf, Barr was raised in Saskatchewan, and told me he learned a lot before he ever went to the war. Moving from his home was difficult for him and his siblings and parents, to leave everything he knew, all of their friends and start over in Ontario. Soon Barr, with hope of owning a farm of his own, went to war. He didn’t like to talk about the war very much. He said that he didn’t consider himself a hero and though Barr was deeply moved by his war experiences, he never made light of that part of his life, treating that time with the utmost respect. After completing 30 tours as a radio wave operator, this pilot arrived home with hope and his returned dream of owning a farm. He settled in Mono with his wife Grace and their four children. Barr told me that being a farmer was the best thing in the world, and as years passed and he did less farming, and told me he really missed it. To keep himself occupied, spawned fish, only planted a few vegetables, took baking to his sister, attended Veteran meetings, enjoyed reading and thankfully enjoyed going on a few outings with me to show me historical places and places that struck him as interesting. On one of our adventures, Barr took me, yes, he drove to an area around 4th line because he had noticed an old dilapidated house along side a Wind Turbine and he thought I would enjoy taking pictures of it because it represented the old and the new at the same time. It was a great find and he was right. We also discussed the merits in the rumours that Jesse James had buried his treasure in secret tunnels near where we were standing. Barr said,”Well Alex, anything is possible, but I doubt it.” I was surprised at his response and asked him why he doubted the possibility. “It would be foolish, that’s why. See, this whole area is swamp land. Any tunnel would have flooded. Nope! It’s just a rumour!” And that was that! Case solved! With a veracious mind, a fantastic sense of humour, kind disposition, extremely intelligent, who wouldn’t enjoy spending time with such a fellow?
Barr opened his house to his fellow Shelburne Veterans once a year for coffee and cake and a lovely afternoon among friends. He would take guests on a tour in his golf cart and on my tour, it was very obvious, the man, this former pilot, was comfortable with speed! Barr knew every nook and cranny, every rock on the path he drove and speeding, well, I’m not sure if that’s even the right word as the cart seemed to be tipping several times and yes, I screamed like a baby as though I was on a roller coaster, which made Barr belly laugh. When we got back he asked me what I thought and I told him the truth, ” A girl’s gotta wear adult diapers to hang around you travelling at that speed!” Another belly laugh followed. There never was an incident to report as David Barr’s accuracy, reflexes, instincts never waned.
Although I am very sad to loose my friend after knowing him such a short time, I cannot express how blessed I am to be able to call him my friend. I truly admired this once young boy from Saskatchewan, who went to war, returned to farm, worked hard every day to passionately live out his dreams, fly, make planes, raise his family, love his wife, build planes, store them in a hanger he built with trees he grew, built another small lake just for his salmon fishery, and carve beautiful wooden artistic pieces. He is one of the most outstanding, decent men I know or will know. The expression,”They just don’t make’m like that anymore,” definitely applies to my friend, David Barr. Adventurer, a man with an undeniable thirst for knowledge, and was so humble, which is all just the way he liked it. I am so grateful to have had the absolute honour of knowing this man, and as special as I thought our friendship was, there are many, many more who feel just like I do. So my friend, God Speed and please know how dearly missed you will always be. Thank you for being my friend, thank you for serving our country and even though you never liked to thought of as a hero, you will always be exactly that and more.
Alex.
Click image below to see David Barr’s Salmon.
Click on the links below:
Remembrance Day At The Cenotaph 2016 With David Barr.
Below is an article from 2015, a walk down memory lane with WWII Veteran, Mono resident, David Barr.
The Granger School House today.
But, back in the day The Granger School House is where a pretty teacher worked and many can remember….
Mrs. Grace Barr worked in the Granger School House part time for eleven years. A very important position, Barr taught her own four children and all of the neighborhood kids. Grace Barr, a very talented artist and painter in her own right, is credited with starting the Shelburne Art Group which is known today as the Dufferin Arts Council.
Grace Barr’s husband, local WWII Veteran, David Barr introduced me to the Granger School House and explained as only he could,”Communities were formed around the location of a school house or a church, and some buildings were used for both a school and a church.”
Today it’s difficult to fathom walking four miles to school each day, but for some kids who lived in the country, it was just a way of life. With so much country- side between farms I asked Barr how anyone could get to know their neighbors. “Well, we all helped each other out and that’s how you got to know people. Everyone knew who lived at every farm.” According to Barr, life was about caring and neighborhoods could flourish simply by relying on each other. Again, different from today’s society where many people can remember never knowing their neighbor in the next town house, not to mention someone who lived a mile down the road.
(Above)Young David Barr during WWII, the Halifax Bomber (made in England)he used in WWII as a wireless radio wave operator & the plane he built.
Special thanks to WWII Veteran David Barr for fighting for our country, and continuing throughout his life to live well,and his own words,”keep busy and earn his lunch.” Surely the secret to longevity.
Keep checking in with Shelburne Freelancer. The next location is coming soon!
Did you guess what this house was called
And The Correct Answer Is?
Back in the day, this now long time residential building was affectionately known as the Granger School House and it is located on 1st Line ,East Mono on Lot 28.
Congratulations to
Beverly Parker for her correct answer.
LEST WE FORGET
The above provided by : Click image to visit website.
Fare Thee Well, & God Speed, KEN BAYNTON : Thank you.
In my few years in Shelburne, I have come to know so many wonderful people. Shelburne’s WWII Veterans are men, and I think we can all agree, simply above the grade. They were just teenagers when they left their families to go out and literally save their country and so follows, the world. The men who returned afterwards, returned not as boys, but as men. Harsh and brutal realities they faces often gave these youngsters a certain resolve. Ken Baynton was in my short time knowing him was also exceptional. Whatever he faced in his health, he never spoke of, never whined, but instead was always happy while attending the Veteran meetings and the Shelburne Legion 220 Branch. This man always greeted me with a smile as does his wife Pauline. This kind of goodness, strength and resolve speaks to Ken’s resilience, love of life, after all, whatever he faced, he and Pauline faced together. It’s with great sadness I bid farewell to Ken Baynton, WWII Veteran, and wonderful man. I will sorely miss seeing his smile while enjoying tea and sweets during the Veteran’s Meetings. Alex McLellan.
Click image below for short video.
(Above: L to R) Pauline and Ken Baynton
Obituary for Terry McCarthy
Robert Terence McCarthy (Terry)
July 25, 1935 – July 9, 2018
After a Valiant effort to fight Cancer, Terry, 82 years old passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Terry, a local icon, a gentleman and long time Shelburne resident is survived by his Loving wife Helen McCarthy (Snider), and his family, Steve and Marg McCarthy, Mark McCarthy and Sandra Doney, Lea-Anne McCarthy, and Lyn and Brian Lacombe; his sister Cheryl McCarthy of Halifax. Special grandfather to Megan Schaefer (Nick), Terri-Lynn O’Gorman (Ryan), Shaun, Trevor and William McCarthy, Lee and Mitchell Lacombe, Alex and Patrick McCarthy McKay. Pappa to Jacob and Penny Schaefer and Braylin O’Gorman. He was predeceased by his father William McCarthy and his mother Bernice (Westlake) and his sister Evelyn McCarthy. He has left a great legacy of many friends and family.
The family would like to Thank Doctor Chattha for his attentive, kind and compassionate care throughout Terry’s Journey. Special thanks to the many Bayshore Nurses, Samantha, Wendy, Rhonda and Jasmine, for making Terry’s last days comfortable.
A celebration of Terry’s life will be held in the Large Warriors Hall at the back of the Royal Canadian Legion, Shelburne on Sunday July 29th, from 1-4 p.m with refreshments and a cash bar. A presentation will take place at 3:00 p.m. If you would like to honour Terry’s Life, donations to the Headwaters Health Care Centre Oncology Department would be appreciated.
Saying Goodbye To The Longest Serving Police Chief In Ontario, Retired Shelburne Police Chief, Carman Lemcke
Shelburne Police Services, Family And Friends marked a sad occasion bidding last farewells to Carman Lemcke, retired former Shelburne Police Chief from 1957-1993 who passed away March 13, 2018, funeral taking place on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at a beautiful and widely attended remembrance ceremony held at the Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion 220 Branch. While somber, the funeral services remembering this icon, this larger than life character, local hero, mentor, husband, father, uncle brother, grandfather, great grandfather and dear friend to so many, was most notably filled with fond memory, a lot of laughter, and sincere expression of profound loss. Carman Lemcke is a person who will be dearly and daily missed and his memory will stay alive in those he loved well and those who loved him well. As with most local legends, there are so many people who knew Lemcke, have experienced his sense of justice, enjoyed his sense of humor, his keen eye for detail and family verified devotion to punctuality. Many young officers who revered Lemcke, have continued to follow his most excellent example in the proud profession of law enforcement, largely establishing, “how to get things done”. By all accounts, a peaceful man, Lemcke is reputed to have the ability to get things done WITHOUT CARRYING A GUN! Simply nicknamed, “THE LAW”, and like most larger than life characters, Lemcke made his mark touching the hearts and minds of everyone he encountered. According to family, Lemcke’s few simple rules of life can keep one on the straight and narrow consists of remembering , one must always where black socks with their uniform, be punctual, eat soup and sandwiches on time daily, and be true of heart.
Standing Shoulder to Shoulder The Shelburne Police Services, Shelburne Emergency Services, Shelburne & District Fire Department, paid respect and bid farewell to beloved Retired Shelburne Police Chief, Carman Lemcke.
Carman Lemcke passed away at the age of 85 and is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Rose, sons, Bruce (Brenda), Bill (Jennifer), grandchildren Bryan (Jasmine), Lindsay (Jon), Shawn (Jessie), Greg ( Amber), Sherri (Joey) step-grandfather to Vanessa(Ryan), great grandfather of Sullivan, Aubree, Everly, Maeve, Raelyn, Haylee, and step-great grandfather to Landon, Dear brother of Albert (the late Wilma), Isabell (the late Harold), Karl (Elaine), Morgan (Signa), Hazel (Jim), Roy (Donna), brother-in -law of Marg, predeceased by his brothers Ivan (Florence), Allan (Jean) and brother-in-law, Carl.
Funeral Service Set up Volunteers, The 164 Squadron Air Cadets, The Masons, and the Shelburne & District Fire Department were greatly appreciated by The Lemcke Family. Click here for exclusive video which was recorded and asked to be shared upon the request of family.
“On a personal note, having met Carman Lemcke just a few times during work related occasions, it was easy to understand one was in the presence of the extraordinary, a trustworthy individual and a truly good person. My sincerest condolences to family and friends who had the honour of knowing this fine individual,” Alex Sher, the Shelburne Freelancer.
Video and photographs by Alex Sher
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“It is with a very sad heart we bid farewell to this wonderful, feisty, larger than life, little Irish woman. Lily Norris, the world has been a better place because you were in it. You will be thought of and dearly missed,” Alex Sher.
Funny note: Ever since I met Lily at the Legion Veteran meetings on Wednesdays, she was very kind to me and each time we met after that she told me she always read my articles and looked for my name at the bottom of every paragraph. I was touched. She then said, “Can you tell me your name again? I can never believe you’re not a man, because well, after all, with a name like Alex, what was I to think?You know what I mean?” Lily would always laugh, tap my hand and then follow up with, “Course, I’ll read yah, anyway.” I won’t forget her, and it was an absolute pleasure knowing her even in my small capacity. Lily was present during one of my many video interviews at the Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion 220 Branch. Click here and meet Lily and some of our beloved Veterans.
The above graphic and information courtesy of Jack And Thompson Funeral Homes.
Fare Thee Well, Jack!
” We are saddened by the loss of another great person. Veteran Jack Mason Passed away on Sunday October 22. There will be visitation from 2 p.m -3 p.m on Sunday October 29th with the Service beginning at 3 p.m in the Warriors Hall of The Shelburne Legion. “Jack Sprat” will be missed by all,” commented Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion President, Lesa Peat. Photo below.
You, Will Be So Dearly Missed!
May 4, 1924 -October 22, 2017
For more information, Visit 
Chris Luxemberger, May He Rest In Peace.
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