Orval Barker

Orval Barker died peacefully on July 23, 2018 at the wonderful age of 97. He served from 1941-1945 as a Flight Lieutenant and Wireless Air Gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His career in retailing brought Orval and his wife Norma (predeceased) and their two children Brian Barker of Calgary and Sue Barker (Ian Karn) of Baysville from Montreal to Sudbury and then to Gravenhurst in 1971 where he opened Crest Hardware and later operated Heritage Men's Wear and Shoes. A Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, Orval sat on many boards and committees as varied as Family and Children's Services, the Gravenhurst Curling Club and Habitat for Humanity. Riverside Public School students will remember Orval and Norma baking and volunteering in their daughter's (Ms. Barker) class. His thoughtful and optimistic nature and great sense of humour were with him to the end. If you wish, donations may be made to Fairvern Nursing Home where he was cared for so wonderfully.