BARRETT, Leonard Joseph
June 16,1922 – January 2, 2020
Passed away peacefully on January 2, 2020. Loving husband of the late Elizabeth (Libby) Strong Barrett. Devoted partner of Elizabeth Ann Dohan. Len is survived by his daughters Carolyn (Robert Carew), and Victoria (Colin Andrews) and his son William (Katarina). He was predeceased by his son Bruce. He will be missed by his loving grandchildren, Stephanie and David Carew and Elizabeth and Emily Andrews, and his great-grandson, Evan Carew.

Len was born in Brookvale, Australia. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force at 19, and was posted to Canada. He trained in Edmonton, and became a navigator in the Ferry Command. He subsequently met Elizabeth who was working at the meteorological office at Dorval Airport in Montreal, and they married in 1944. Len was later stationed in San Diego, where he was assigned as navigator to General McArthur for the duration of the conflict in the Pacific.

After the war, Len enrolled in the forestry engineering program at UNB so as to prepare for a career as a partner to his father-in-law in the family lumber business. Len became a pillar of the industry, serving simultaneously as president of the Canadian Lumberman’s Association and the American-based National Hardwood Lumber Association. He was always a passionate believer in and supporter of the industry.

His other great passion, as all will remember, was tennis. An early riser, he could fit in morning, lunch, and after work games at the Montreal Indoor Tennis Club in the course of a single day, and here he also served as president. He will be remembered for organizing, playing in, and umpiring many years of tournaments at Lac Brûlé. In his later years he was instrumental in the development of public courts on Longboat Key in Florida, and worked tirelessly to manage tournaments at the North Hatley Club. He played competitive tennis until he was 87, at which time he took up golf with enthusiasm, but tennis was his lifelong love.

He maintained his relationship with family and friends, returning to his native Australia regularly to enjoy their company and keep up with their tennis exploits!
A memorial service will be held in the summer to celebrate his life.