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Posted Jul 27, 2026 | 3:48 PM
Barrie was born on May 8th, 1936, in Burslem, Staffordshire England and peacefully passed surrounded by the love of his family on July 26th, 2026, at West Lake Terrace in Picton, Ontario.
Barrie will be forever missed by his loving wife and soulmate Susan (nee Peake) his sons Richard (Ronald), Steven (Linda), and daughter Laurie. Grandchildren Christina, Adam, Alisabeth (Nate), Ross, Kevin, Kyle, Joseph, Christopher, Noah and his Great Grandson Jaxon, his nephew Russel and niece Sandi. As well he will be missed by his extended family of Bobbi-Ann Whelan, John Robert Whelan (Kim) Jason Patrick Whelan (Tasha) John Whelan and friends and relatives in England and other parts of the world.
Predeceased by his parents Richard and Lily (nee Mayer) as well as his sisters Sonia and Yvonne in South Africa.
Barrie spent much of his young life in Durban, South Africa where his family moved in 1944. While there he trained as a carpenter, a skill that he put much use throughout his life. In 1956 he and friends toured England and Europe and eventually ended up crossing to N. America and eventually ended up in Montreal where he met his first wife Joan (nee Brennan, deceased) and became a firefighter for Westmount Fire Department in June 1957. While fighting a fire in January of 1962 Barrie suffered serious injuries during the collapse of an aerial truck, riding the 100′ ladder he was on to the ground. He returned to work on light duties and retired from the fire department in 1965. He then Joined C.P. Rail in their Insurance Department. In 1968 accepted the opportunity to work for Improved Risk Mutual (I.R.M.) as a field representative in their Fire Prevention Engineering Department which involved a move to the United States.
In 1974 Barrie joined American International Groups (A.I.G.) upon which time he made a move back to Canada in Ontario and became their Engineering Manager for Canada in 1976 and in 1980 became their Vice President of Fire Prevention Engineering. He travelled the world in these various positions and eventually retired from A.I.G. in 1991. In 1989 Barrie opened the first Canadian Invisible Fence Brand pet containment dealership, eventually he established dealerships across Canada and became Invisible Fence Brand’s first Canadian Distributor. Eventually Barrie fully retired in 2009.
Barrie was an avid outdoors man, sportsman and dog lover throughout his life and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting and rally car driving. He spent as much time as possible with friends at trap clubs, and fishing with his childhood friend George Godfrey from Texas whom he met in South Africa. Barrie always loved to travel, and these outdoor pleasures allowed him to also travel all over the world.
Barrie was a true gentleman with a warm smile, and a gentle laugh that was a joy to receive. He was generous in heart and was always there to help when someone was in need. He will be greatly missed but always his spirit will be found with a fishing rod in hand or a shotgun trying to break those elusive clay targets.
In keeping with Barrie’s wishes a private funeral will take place with cremation following. Interment to follow at a later date. A casual social gathering to remember Barrie will take place on Friday July, 31 at the Burke Funeral Home, 150 Church Street, Belleville from 1:30pm until 3pm. Family and friends will be welcomed to share fond memories and connections to Barrie. Light refreshments will be served.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the West Lake Terrace LTCH staff for the wonderful care Barrie received while staying with this extended family home.
If desired, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Heart and Stroke, Cancer Society, Humane Society Hastings Prince Edward or any charity that is dear to your heart, in memory of Barrie. Online Condolences can be shared at www.BurkeFuneral.ca