HONOURED BY BARRY’S FAMILY
Barry was the eldest of three children born to Cecil and Hettie-May Tayler. Barry was born August 17, 1931, followed by siblings Barbara and Fred.
Barry grew up in North Bay, attending school there and graduating from North Bay Collegiate Institute in 1947. During his high school years he was a Sea Cadet, and later he was an Army Cadet in the Signals Squadron at Camp Ipperwash in the summers of 1948 and 1949. During his late teens and into his twenties Barry played broomball for the Fisher Street Wolves, with a group of players who were all part of the second generation Fisher Street Gang.
In 1952 Barry married Shirley Freeborn. They had four children; Ann, Ron, Ross and Sheila. During the years they raised their children in the same neighbourhood that Barry himself grew up in, and Barry coached minor hockey and volunteered as a cook for weekend Boy Scout camps. They camped in the summers and travelled from coast to coast with the children. When the children were a little older they inherited a cottage on Rib Lake and spent many summers there. Barry liked to hunt and fish and did so often with his father, brother, uncles, sons and friends.
Barry joined the North Bay Elks in 1959, helping with the construction of the present day Elks Club building. He remained an active member of the Elks for 58 years, serving as Exalted Ruler of the Lodge from 1964 to 1965, and also as District Deputy. He served on the National Sports Committee from 1998 to 2005, and was Chairman of that Committee from 1999 to 2002.
Barry sat on the Board of Directors for the Victorian Order of Nurses from 1965 to 1985, and served as President and Governor of the North Bay branch from 1973 to 1980.
Barry started his working career at the CNR in the freight department in 1949, and worked there until 1959. During that time he was involved as a union steward with the Canadian Brotherhood of Railway Employees and was the Secretary of the North Bay District Labour Council.
In 1959 Barry started working at the North Bay Civic Hospital in the Stores department, and in time became the hospital’s first Director of Material Management. During his time at the hospital Barry was seriously committed to his continuing education and was always enrolled in university courses in the evening and during his summers. He received his Certificate of Professional Purchaser in 1987. He was also President of the Purchasing Section of the Ontario Hospital Association. Barry retired in 1989.
In 1988 Barry married Betty-Jane Fielding. Their retirement involved volunteering at the Gathering Place for several years, and volunteering at the St. Brice’s Church Teen Lunch Program. He was a devout Christian and very active in his church.
Retirement also meant lots of travelling, fishing, curling and golfing. He was happiest when spending time with his family and at the cottage. Barry fished with the same group of friends every year for over 30 years. They referred to themselves as the “Gronks”.
Barry passed away January 17, 2017 at the age of 85. He was the loving husband of Betty-Jane and father to Ann and Gerry Gardiner, Ron and Kathy Tayler, Ross and Cheryl Tayler and Sheila and Ernesto Garcia. Barry also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.