Keith Douglas Barber

Keith was born in Cornwall, Ont. on February 9, 1909, the son of Charles Herbert Barber (papermaker) and Laura Ethel Weagant. Keith had six brothers and one sister. Keith was the nephew of Major Rene Raoul Barber and half nephew of Colonel John Roaf Barber, both of Georgetown and both Veterans. The 1921 and 1931 Canadian Censuses show the family living in North Toronto. It is safe to assume that Charles’s familial connection to the Barbers of the Barber Paper Mill fame is the tie that eventually brought the family to Georgetown. Keith married Jean Webster on September 21, 1935, his declaration on the 1935 Certificate of Marriage reports that he is living on King Street in Georgetown and that he is a florist.

Little is known of Keith’s military history other than he attained the rank of Lieutenant in 6th Canadian Infantry and that he was member of the Lorne Scots Regiment, Company C.

Keith was a local antiques dealer, a founding member of both the Mississauga and Brampton Symphony Orchestras, cellist and banjo player in musical productions in Georgetown and Brampton and cellist with Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra and the Oakville Symphony Orchestra. The 1957 Canadian Voters List for Halton , lists him as a customs officer and places him living at 9 king St, Georgetown, later moving to 46 King St.

Keith was the father of three daughters; Mary, Heather and Phyliss and was married to Jean for 53 years. He died October 26, 1994 and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Georgetown.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. Information obtained from Findagrave.com, and Ancestry.ca

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