Gavin was born in Tynemouth, England in 1946 and passed away early in 2021.
Gavin came to Canada with his parents in 1947 at the age of 8 months. He spent his first few years in Kildonan on the Alberni canal. He then grew up in South Burnaby, BC with his younger sister Val. Predeceased by his parents Christina and Harry Barber.
Gavin will be sorely missed by his wife of 51 years, Judy (née Pfeiffer), his son Graham Barber (Jess) (Toronto), daughter Catrina Sinclair (Scott) (Kamloops), his grandchildren Zoey (6) and Nixon (4) and sister Val Homeniuk (Portt Coquitlam), who was very close to Gavin.
Zoey and Nixon will miss Grampa and his workshop where they would saw 2X4s and nail and screw them together in weird and wonderful shapes.
"He was a gentleman" was the description that comes up most often from friends, colleagues and even the many nurses in the various hospitals he visited. He truly was liked by all.
Judy and Gavin met at SuperValu #78 in Burnaby where they both started working at 16 years of age, Gavin in the produce department, Judy as a cashier. It was 2 years of wooing before he bought a sports car and Judy finally noticed him! Thus began our courtship which grew into a loving and devoted 56 year life together.
One of Gavin's hobbies was building log cabins and putting additions on them. Hihium Lake was what drew us to Kamloops and where all this building took place. While the children were young we spent magical Christmases at the cabin: no electricity, no running water, no road access, snowmobiles were our mode of transportation. Summers were spent at the lake where you couldn't stand still in the water lest the leeches find you. After the children became employed we spent Christmases at home but New Years with friends at the cabin, leaving the kids to fend for themselves. It was a special place for Gavin and we made many friends up there.
Gavin attended Moscrop Jr. High then Burnaby Central Sr. High. He received his Bachelor of Science and then his teaching certificate at UBC. In 1969 Gavin was a founding member at Valleyview Jr. High School teaching there from 1969 to 1980. He then spent the next 23 years at Kamloops Sr. Secondary, retiring in 2003. Gavin coached boys and girls volleyball for 25 years, something he truly enjoyed. He was also very active in cross country skiing, playing racquetball and squash. But most of all he loved his family, attending all the kids activities, even practices, whenever he could.
After his retirement he was still very active. Being a senior math teacher he was in demand as a substitute math teacher. He tutored the WHL Blazers for several years and travelled with them on one of their Prairie road trips. He was a member of a slow pitch team that medalled in 2 of our province's seniors games. We also started travelling to many developing countries where we were fascinated by all things ancient. Travelling was cut short by the need for a heart transplant (the first one) in 2016. That heart failed in 2020 and another heart was not available when once again needed.
Jim Barker
Roberta Barlow
n October 2, 2021, the local musical community lost a talented, dedicated pianist, Roberta Barlow. She was born in 1938 in Belleville, ON, to Harold and Marion Mumby, who nurtured in her a love of history and encouraged an aptitude for piano studies, culminating in courses at McGill and Bishop's Universities, from which she graduated with a teaching degree and a library science degree. Early on she taught at A.B. Lucas Secondary in London, ON, and played piano with chamber groups in and around Port Hope.
After 5 years of teaching, Roberta set off for an adventure, with a girlfriend, onboard the "Oriana." This was to be a life-changing, ocean-crossing experience taking her to N.Z. and Australia. In N.Z. she sustained her touring by waiting tables, doing casual office work, and teaching for 3 months in Tokoroa, where she was happily accepted as accompanist for the local operatic society. The fact that she gave up 3 months of her holiday demonstrated her generosity and devotion to music. Here she met Kelvin who later became her significant partner.
Upon returning to Ontario, she gained the distinction of librarian at Upper Canada College - the first woman to be hired to that prestigious boys' school. In 1969 she married Kelvin. Together they taught in North Vancouver. In 1974 a definitive move to Kamloops set the stage for her life-long involvement with so many groups, as a superb accompanist; Kamloops Operatic Society, Kamloops Players, Classy Chassis, United Church Choir, and with Kelvin as conductor, Kamloops Children's Choir, and Kamloops Choristers. No wonder the "Daily New" nicknamed them "Mr. and Mrs. Music."
Once spring arrived Roberta would be hard at work in her garden, in Westsyde, putting into practice what she had learned as a Master Gardener. Many students at NorKam Sec., Kam High(1974-1988), and Westsyde Sec, knew her as a dedicated, if demanding, teacher who inspired in them a love of history, no doubt the influence of her father, a history buff, and H.S. principal.
Playing bridge was a passion she enjoyed until recently, even kindly teaching friends as she played. Visitors to her home will recall a welcoming hostess practicing tasty culinary skills.
Roberta considered reaching the summit of the Chilkoot Pass in 1974, after completing a 21-day canoe trip on the Yukon River - Whitehorse to Dawson City - as her "favourite holiday." She hiked many of the local high points and canoed local lakes with her dogs.
