Obituary for Ernest Lester Barrett
ERNEST LESTER BARRETT
Quietly in the early morning of November 9th, 2020, in his 93rd year. Left behind to remember him with love are daughter, Peggy Robinson (Hugh), son Kevin Barrett (Lois), grandchildren Hayley Buckler (Mark), Jordan Robinson (Jen), Kathleen Barrett and Luke Barrett (Emily Zimmermann), great granddaughters Stella and Audrey Buckler and Madeleine Robinson, brother Beatty Barrett (Verna) and many dear family and friends. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Hector and Stella, brothers John and Eric, sisters Berdina Horvatt and Mary Sheppard, and his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara (Smith). Though proud of his Newfoundland heritage (which started back in the late 1600’s, when his 9th great grandfather, John Barrett left Poole England for the Americas), Ernie started travelling as a young man with his father to Greenland. In 1950, he went to Korea with the Canadian Armed Forces PPCLI, fought at Kap Yong, was critically wounded and subsequently decorated for extraordinary heroism. For his entire life, he carried the harsh memories of that time along with a love for the Korean people. Returning from Korea, Ernie was met at Union Station in Toronto by Barbara, a cousin to Ernie’s childhood best friend, and they rekindled a love story that had begun when they were 12. After marrying in August of 1952, Barbara encouraged Ernie to think about his spiritual life, something that had been on his mind for many years. He made a decision to put his trust in Christ and follow and serve Him from that time on. He and Barbara faithfully did so as partners in a home that was full of love and laughter, music and meals, and where everyone was welcome. They loved to read their Bibles and enjoyed wonderful times of worship at Pape Avenue and Newmarket Gospel Halls and, from 1970 onwards, at Lansing Gospel Hall. Ernie worked for CNR for 35 years in and around Toronto. He loved country gospel music, played steel guitar and sang every day. Young friends and old, family and passersby, enjoyed his gift and were invited to join in. Ernie’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren adored him and were treated with special projects every summer, like building a wooden playhouse, a treehouse and a hot rod, a fish pond and a vegetable garden. Our gratitude goes to the VON PSWs of Sarnia. As well, we especially thank the loving people of Lansing Gospel Hall who cared for Dad faithfully through the years, treating him and taking him places, visiting him with family and sending a flurry of cards and letters proclaiming their continued affection. We also thank the many friends who have demonstrated love and care of Dad in many ways, both over the years and in recent days. We plan to hold a proper memorial, and greet many of you face to face with grateful hugs for your love and friendship, when it is possible to do so.
In the meantime, a private funeral service for the immediate family only will be held on Saturday November 14 at 11am at Marshall’s Funeral Home on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. The service will be streamed via Zoom - please contact Peggy or Lois for the zoom link. Donations to Gospel Trust Canada would be gratefully accepted by any who wish to do so.
Quietly in the early morning of November 9th, 2020, in his 93rd year. Left behind to remember him with love are daughter, Peggy Robinson (Hugh), son Kevin Barrett (Lois), grandchildren Hayley Buckler (Mark), Jordan Robinson (Jen), Kathleen Barrett and Luke Barrett (Emily Zimmermann), great granddaughters Stella and Audrey Buckler and Madeleine Robinson, brother Beatty Barrett (Verna) and many dear family and friends. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Hector and Stella, brothers John and Eric, sisters Berdina Horvatt and Mary Sheppard, and his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara (Smith). Though proud of his Newfoundland heritage (which started back in the late 1600’s, when his 9th great grandfather, John Barrett left Poole England for the Americas), Ernie started travelling as a young man with his father to Greenland. In 1950, he went to Korea with the Canadian Armed Forces PPCLI, fought at Kap Yong, was critically wounded and subsequently decorated for extraordinary heroism. For his entire life, he carried the harsh memories of that time along with a love for the Korean people. Returning from Korea, Ernie was met at Union Station in Toronto by Barbara, a cousin to Ernie’s childhood best friend, and they rekindled a love story that had begun when they were 12. After marrying in August of 1952, Barbara encouraged Ernie to think about his spiritual life, something that had been on his mind for many years. He made a decision to put his trust in Christ and follow and serve Him from that time on. He and Barbara faithfully did so as partners in a home that was full of love and laughter, music and meals, and where everyone was welcome. They loved to read their Bibles and enjoyed wonderful times of worship at Pape Avenue and Newmarket Gospel Halls and, from 1970 onwards, at Lansing Gospel Hall. Ernie worked for CNR for 35 years in and around Toronto. He loved country gospel music, played steel guitar and sang every day. Young friends and old, family and passersby, enjoyed his gift and were invited to join in. Ernie’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren adored him and were treated with special projects every summer, like building a wooden playhouse, a treehouse and a hot rod, a fish pond and a vegetable garden. Our gratitude goes to the VON PSWs of Sarnia. As well, we especially thank the loving people of Lansing Gospel Hall who cared for Dad faithfully through the years, treating him and taking him places, visiting him with family and sending a flurry of cards and letters proclaiming their continued affection. We also thank the many friends who have demonstrated love and care of Dad in many ways, both over the years and in recent days. We plan to hold a proper memorial, and greet many of you face to face with grateful hugs for your love and friendship, when it is possible to do so.
In the meantime, a private funeral service for the immediate family only will be held on Saturday November 14 at 11am at Marshall’s Funeral Home on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. The service will be streamed via Zoom - please contact Peggy or Lois for the zoom link. Donations to Gospel Trust Canada would be gratefully accepted by any who wish to do so.