William Barry Rowe had an indefatigable zest for life. He went tree top trekking and go karting to mark his 70 th birthday.  To celebrate his 80 th he went white water rafting—all of this done with his family.  Barry Rowe cannonballed through life, and photographed it all along the way—all the while with the love of his life, Barbara, at his side.  No single activity could absorb Barry’s appetite and energy. His interests extended to hunting, fishing, golf, volleyball, curling, playing Christmas Road Hockey and, at the age of 64, completing his first adventure race with his daughter, Laura. Nor were his pursuits purely physical; he was an avid reader of detective novels and medieval fiction, and therefore took particular delight in walking around the castles he’d read about while visiting his daughter, Kimberly, in the UK and France. He grabbed enough of the Welsh language to give her away at her wedding to Iwan in Wales. While adored and adoring of his daughters, Barry was actively involved with his son Rob whom he always called ‘Bud’.  They traipsed through the bush together, they sat in duck blinds together, they ice fished together,  they ran corn crews together and talked with each other daily. Many were envious of the closeness of their relationship. Barry genuinely loved being involved in the lives of his grandchildren and great granddaughter.  For Caitlynn, Rowen, Jillian and Ava he drove and cheered at soccer matches, dance recitals, basketball and volleyball tournaments, ice hockey games, and track races across Ontario. From the earliest age, Barry was easy in the company of others; inquisitive, curious, and eager to share his knowledge.  He was a natural teacher and chose to follow that as a profession. But he did not tread the early steps of his profession alone. Ever confident and decisive, Barry proposed to Barb 18 months after meeting and 4 months later they married.  He was 21, she was 17, and the young couple moved to the remote North where his interest in hunting and fishing really took hold. From there Barb and Barry moved to Chatham-Kent where they raised a family, and he taught at Dresden Area Central, McKeough, H W Burgess, and McNaughton, from where he retired.   Barry was convinced the most important part of teaching the students in his care was that they become good citizens and  proud Canadians (he was born on Canada Day). If you demonstrated these values in the way you acted, he believed it should be recognised, and he instituted the “Barry Rowe Good Citizen” award in his last two schools.  Some have the impression that teachers have the summer off.  Never for Barry. Summers were always busy whether lifeguarding, studying to complete his Masters or working in the corn; the last of these being done with Rob and his son-in-law Chris.  If Barry had the choice, everything would be a family affair. He got an extra kick out of introducing Serena to hunting and fishing, and was delighted when she too joined the “Corn Guy” team. Central to Barry’s life was his Christian faith and in this he and Barb were very active.  They were in the choir at Emmanuel Baptist. Barry with his close friends, Earl Brinkman and Ron Lewis, ran the Christian Service Brigade. Barry was a deacon for many years.  In fact, he held the position of head deacon for so long that his family coined the phrase, “Barry Rowe, King of the Deacons.” As a consequence of all of these activities, Barry touched the lives of many families in Chatham Kent. Unlike  most men, shopping trips were never quick. He always knew somebody and each visit to the grocery store became a mini-school reunion. None of this could have been accomplished without the love and support of Barbara, his wife for 60 of his 81 years. The family unit meant everything.  Even in his final days he told us, “to stick together, to shore each other up, do your best and do the right thing.” We know we were gifted to be part of Barry’s life, and with great gifts comes the responsibility and the privilege to try to be a little more like Barry: God-fearing, curious, adventurous, and sometimes a little bit goofy. We are all in a daze. But there is relief in our grief. Barry carried his Christian faith with confidence and without doubt. As a result, we are comforted that Barry is in a better place and that we will all be reunited. His favourite hymn, Unbounded Grace, will be sung at his memorial. The words gave hope and comfort to Barry, and they do to us now too, and to others who knew him.  Unbounded Grace John E. Walvoord Unbounded grace, it reached to me,                         When hope was gone from view.                        In my despair Christ came to me               As He alone could do.   Grace was for me the only way                   My guilt could find relief.                        My destiny was changed that day,                I reached out in belief.                        God’s grace does not on me depend.                It’s God who is my stay.                         His love is offered without end.                He walks with me each day.                      The universe with joy will ring,                       when grace has won the day.                   As all creation joins to sing,                    Praise God who paid the way   A memorial service for William Barry Rowe will be held on Friday May 13 th . An open house will run from 10:00 am to 2:00pm. The service will commence at 2:00pm.  The service will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 100 McNaughton Ave W, Chatham ON N7L 1R3.  The family request masks be worn by the unvaccinated. To watch Barry’s Memorial Service – Please Click HERE. Donations in memory of Barry can be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ukrainian fund or the Happy Trout Chapter .