Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nova Scotia for funeral details
With deep sadness, the family of
Robert “Bob” McDougall Barnes
announces his death on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the age of 97. He
passed peacefully, with family at his side, at the Cumberland Regional
Health Care Centre.
Born in Amherst on August 28, 1926, Bob
was the only child of the late Lloyd and Daisy (McDougall)
Barnes.
After completing high school in 1944, he
worked at the Canada Car and Foundry Wartime Aircraft Plant before
enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR). During
this time he developed an avid interest in flying and aviation, owning
and flying the Cornell 6F-FES. From 1946 until 1963 he flew with a
private pilot license. In 1949 he developed an even greater interest
in an adventure-seeking young lady named Shirley Clarke. In addition
to his many fine qualities, he impressed her by performing airplane
stunts while she flew along as a passenger. They married later that
year.
At the end of the war, he attended
Pictou Veteran’s School as well as Acadia University. He
worked in the insurance field from 1948-1954, then worked at Enheat
(Aircraft Division) until 1963. He returned to insurance, became an
adjustor and later branch manager at Major Adjustment Bureau. He was
claims manager for Douglas, Rogers Ltd. from 1973 until 1978 when he
went to Amherst Insurance Agency as a broker. In 1989, he and partner
Garry Stack founded Barnes Insurance Agency (later
Archway).
Very much a community minded person, Bob
served on numerous boards and commissions in Amherst and Cumberland
County over the years. These included the Amherst School Board,
Amherst Recreation Commission and the Voluntary Planning
Board.
He also served as a director on the
Regional Hospital Foundation Board, as campaign manager of the Amherst
United Way, and was involved with the Downtown Amherst Revitalization
Society (DARS).
He was President and Honorary Life
Member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce. A dedicated
member of the Rotary Club of Amherst for many years, he served as
President and received their Distinguished Service
Award.
He was a member and served as Clerk of
Session at Trinity St. Stephen’s United
Church.
He was a longtime member of the Liberal
Party.
Later in life he served on the board of
directors for the Joggins Fossil Institute.
A summertime resident of Parrsboro,
Bob’s involvement there included being Chair of the
Ship’s Company Theatre, President and Honorary Life Member
of the Parrsboro Golf Club, and member of the Parrsboro Harbour
Commission.
Bob was an avid golfer for well over
seventy years and enjoyed meeting a variety of people on various
courses. Perhaps most significant was the Parrsboro Golf
Club, located near his family’s summer cottage. He
followed in his parents’ footsteps on the golf course at a
young age, and played until he put away his clubs in his late
eighties.
In his athletic youth, Bob pitched for
the Wartime Twilight Baseball League and in 1946 the Legion Ball
Team. He coached and refereed in the Amherst Minor Hockey
Association. He enjoyed recreational skating and cross-country skiing.
Bob was a natural people person. He saw
the best in others, and thus cultivated a wide variety of friends and
acquaintances who were very important in his life. He appreciated
music, particularly big band and jazz, and he and Shirley regularly
attended many balls and dances.
He was an interested and loving father
to his four children and their families. Always keen to go for a walk
or hike, he instigated frequent family outings. All his children grew
to value the outdoors and became committed walkers as
well.
Bob was a principled man with many fine
qualities. He served as a good example for his family and many others
and was a special soul indeed. We were most fortunate to have him for
so long. He will be greatly missed and forever in our
hearts.
Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife
Marion Shirley (Clarke) Barnes.
He is survived by his children: Sheri
(Rick) Bromer, Parrsboro, Connie (Eric Rose) Barnes Rose, Montreal,
Robert Barnes, Gerlach NV, USA, and Janice (Jeff McCartney) Barnes,
St. Lazare, Qc., and grandchildren: Sarah (Bill Mericle) Bromer,
Jessica Bromer, Anna Rose (Fabi Gompf), Carmen (Kim Ho ) Rose, Claire
McCartney and Steven McCartney, great grandchildren: Arthur, Theodore,
Lumi and Koda, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Bob’s family would like to
express their gratitude to the staffs of Centennial Villa and
Northumberland Hall (Shannex) for their kindness and compassion
throughout his final 8 years. We would also like to thank
Palliative Care Nurse, Amy Thurston, for her guidance and care during
his last week at the hospital.
We give special thanks to our aunt (his
sister-in-law), Anne Crowell, for her much appreciated weekly visits,
and to Martha Huston who kindly saw him regularly as
well.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the
Jones Family Funeral Centre, 70 Church Street, Amherst, NS
(902-667-8777). A
remembrance celebration for Bob will be held from Trinity St.
Stephen’s United Church, Amherst, NS on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 2
pm, Rev. Susan Gamblin officiating. A
private committal service will be held in the Amherst Cemetery at a
later date.
If desired, memorial donations may be
made to the charity of your choice.
Sharing of memories and condolences may
be sent to the family by visiting Bob’s online memorial at
www.jonesfamilyfuneralcentre.ca or through at the Jones Family Funeral Centre Facebook
Page.
1926 2024
Death notice for the town of: Amherst, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Robert Bob McDougall Barnes 1926 2024
obituaries notice Robert Bob McDougall Barnes 1926 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Bob McDougall Barnes 1926 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
