Harry Barrett's 2017 obituary
by John Cardiff
Our favorite "Mr.
Norfolk" has died.
Farmer, author, educator,
historian, environmentalist, Harry Barrett, 94,
passed away 26 Jan 2017.
Perhaps best known as the author of
Legends & Lore of Long Point, between 1976 and 2013, Harry wrote
over a dozen books, mostly about Norfolk and/or its residents, including Alligators
of the North in 2010 and Port Dover's Nursing Sisters of World War
I in 2013.
Raised on the family farm in
Woodhouse,
just north of Port Dover, he recounted his
World War II service
in The Navy and Me.
Harry taught agriculture,
established Fanshaw College's farm management program, and was
a driving
force in establishing the Long Point World Biosphere.
It was Harry's argument why
Haldimand-Norfolk Region should be disbanded that carried the day almost
20 years ago.
Naturalists and historians both
proclaimed him a local all-star. He was a member of Norfolk's Agricultural
Hall of Fame.
Although known for his storytelling
skills, Harry will be remembered by many as simply a great friend, always
modest, interested in what the other person had to say.
Harry is survived by five children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild, and two
sisters.
