April 27, 1942 — April 27, 2020
Dan was born in Ottawa to Andy and Vern Barr. He was the oldest of five to brother John and sisters Kitty, Bonnie (passed) and Mary.
Dan began his career in the business world with the Royal Bank. He then moved in to the community newspaper field with the Woodstock Bugle. From there he went on the road selling for the Bazaar of Values. He then became the advertising sales manager at the Fort Erie Times Review. This was followed with a stint at the Bradford Witness. Then it was out west to Camrose working with Chuck MacLean at the Canadian. He then purchased the Cardston Chronicle and the Raymond Review. After selling the papers he embarked into a few fields, swearing he would never work again. When the position became a job, he moved on to something else.
Dan found that community service work was very satisfying when he joined the Kinsmen Association in Fort Erie, then moving to Newmarket followed by being the charter president of Bradford. Moving to Camrose, Dan joined the Kinsmen Club. Moving to Cardston he was a charter member of that club and was awarded a life membership in the association. Moving to Lethbridge he joined the Lethbridge club. One of his biggest achievements for Kinsmen was the Border to the Coutts/Sweetgrass border crossing raising awareness for Kinsmen and Cystic Fibrosis.
Dan was a member of the Red Coat Brethren of Alberta Lodge No. 3 in Fort Macleod. He was an admirer of the great work the Masonic Order has been doing in making this world a better place for all of us to live. Dan’s father was a Mason, Dan was a Mason, and his son J Barr is a Mason. He was grateful for those individuals who have in quiet ways, motivated him. Dan joined the craft in Chief Mountain Lodge No. 56 where he served as master of the Lodge for two terms. He transferred his membership to Charity Lodge in Lethbridge and then to Alberta Lodge No. 3 in Fort Macleod, serving one term as master. He was a lifetime charter member of Bannack Lodge No. 3-7-77 in the ghost town of Bannack Mont., and he held a membership in Britania Lodge No. 23 in Lloydminster where he enjoyed Masonic fellowship with his son and brothers.
Dan was active in the Scottish Rite Masons, reaching the 32nd degree and serving as the Thrice Puisant Grand Master and Most Wise Sovereign in the Valley of Lethbridge. He was active in the Oriental Band of the Lethbridge Shrine Club.
Dan’s son J was also active in the Order of DeMolay while a teenager and his daughter was a Job’s Daughter and the honoured queen of Bethel No. 3 in Fort Macleod. Dan’s grandson Chance is also active in the DeMolay. J and Amanda are active in keeping the Jobbies going in Lloydminister.
Marie and Dan were married in Niagara on the Lake, supposedly the banana belt of southern Ontario in February 1970 and there was a tremendous snow storm that weekend. They were blessed with a son J Daniel Andrew Barr and a daughter Amanda Kerrie Marie Barr. They divorced after 19 1/2 years.
This was followed by a period of time where Dan’s mother referred to him as King Henry the Eighth because he had so many girlfriends. When he met Lu Horgus she put a stop to that and they have been together ever since.
“For the record, I was born in Ottawa on April 27, 1942 and I passed away on April 27, 2020. In all, everyone in my life made me happy, most by coming into it and others by leaving it and you know who you are.”
All friends, both Masons and non-masons are invited to attend at the Masonic Hall in Fort Macleod at a later date. Masonic regalia to be worn and Alberta Lodge members to wear red shirts.