Barney Bogart

BOGART, Barnabas “Barney” John - Born in October 1953 to the parents of Aubrey & Mabel Bogart, Barnabas (Barney) John Bogart was the second of four children Linda Dunsmore (Robert), Betty Bogart (Jim) and Jim Bogart (Marianne). Barney would routinely tell his children about his walk to school (uphill both ways!) where he would start the fire to get the Windermere school house warm for the teacher and fellow students. Barney was an active member of the school wrestling and cross country running teams - skills which came in handy while wrestling cattle and the subsequent 5 kilometre cattle run from the Bogart’s Deebank farm to the Raymond pasture farm every summer. Barney studied agriculture in New Liskeard and became an active private pilot and scuba diver. He nurtured many life-long special friendships from his youth that stood the test of time.

Barney married his one true love, the mother of his children in 1975 and who remained his best friend Kim Robson-Bogart (Brian), together they raised 4 adventurous rascals, Grace Walter (David), Benjamin Bogart (Mariela), Aimee Cooper (Jeremiah) and Stuart (Heather). Barney was a patient father, kind and gentle. He instilled a tireless work ethic, balancing that with great family memories.  He enjoyed family trips in the station wagon to Florida, boating and water fun at the family cottage on Three Mile Lake, bike rides, coaching baseball, snowmobiling in the winter and outdoor cook outs. Barney shared with his children his time and support, he was present for every important event, every emergency and was the pillar of the family.  Barney was very proud of all of his children, who loved and supported him in every capacity.

It was especially fitting that Barney was a family-oriented man as his was a large one, with legions of extended family members he maintained close ties with. Barney was a well-loved brother in law to the Robson family, mentoring them in the skills of carpentry and role modeling what it meant to be a good man and good father.  His sister Linda, brother-in-law Bob, and the Dunsmore family of Belleville have fond memories of cottage times, winter shenanigans and vacationing together.

Barney was an eminent builder in the Muskoka region, building countless houses and cottages that became loving homes. Barneys most loved project was the rebuild of the iconic Windermere House in 1996.  With a crew of experienced tradesmen, including his sons the Windermere House was restored to its former beauty, with Barney on the roof top ensuring the pristine placement of the turret.  Barney shared his knowledge and skills with countless carpenters, he was always there to lend a helping hand, well respected by those that worked with him. In his prime, his strength and stamina often exceeded men many years his junior.

Barney’s final project was his own home, a house that he designed and built with the expectation of filling it with family, a place for grandchildren to enjoy country living, cattle to graze, gardens to tend and endless beauty.  Barney’s grandchildren, Peter, Maggie, Charlotte, Richard, Eliana, Jeremy Jr., Elliott, Neveah and grand puppy Thor were the joy of his life. Watching their silly antics, playing in the treehouse, egg hunts for Easter, Christmas mornings, tobogganing, driving the tractor, art work, rock collections, garden planting, garden picking and good night kisses were the highlights of his later years.

Despite living with ALS, (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Barney saw all of his dreams come true.  In the 17 years since diagnosis, Barney did not let debilitation and disability define him. Rather, he pledged that he would do as much as he could for as long as he could, and as with all of his other challenges, he succeeded.  He rests easy now and free from illness, having passed away peacefully in his home on June 23rd 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Special thanks his patient and kind caregivers Trixie, Precious, Jude, Liz, Debra, Bryan and Crystal and the many others who ensured he was well cared for. Additional thanks to his dear friend Jim who spent hours with Barney, sharing his love of cars, trucks and gardening.

We will celebrate a life well lived, with visitation to be held at Reynolds Funeral Home, Bracebridge, Ontario, on July 8th 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm with the funeral at Pinegrove Fellowship Church, Bracebridge July 9th at 1 pm (reception to follow).

In lieu of flowers the family is suggesting a donation to ALS Ontario a remarkable agency that supported Barney.

Personal condolences and memories may be shared at www.reynoldsfuneral.com