Obituary of Dr. James Barry King
With saddened hearts we announce the passing of Dr. James “Barry” King at Shannex, Embassy Hall just 2 weeks shy of his 96 th birthday. He was surrounded by his cherished family. Barry was predeceased by his loving wife Ann of 69 years in Oct 2024. May their spirits now be eternally entwined.
Barry is survived by his children Carol King, Jamie King, Angus (Reta Dunlop) King, Jean (Stephen) Hickman, his loving grandchildren Sarah (Ben) Graham and Alexander Hickman and a dear friend of the family Patricia Hutchison. He was predeceased by his youngest daughter Eleanor Ann King, his parents John Kenneth and Pearl King, his siblings Dorothy King, Jean (Jack) Morrison and twin Dr. John Kenneth (Alma) King, his father in law John (Doc) Edgecombe, mother in law Jean Edgecombe, and his brother in law Paul Fanjoy. He continued to enjoy family visits and celebrations with his brother-in-law John (Marilyn) Edgecombe, sister-in- law Jill Fanjoy, his first cousin John William (Dona) King and his nieces and nephews.
Barry and John were born in Moncton and he was inseparable from his beloved identical twin playing many sports, pranks and studying the same degrees. They spent their youth in Fredericton graduating from Fredericton High in 1946. They attended the University of New Brunswick graduating with a B.Sc. in Biology in 1950. The twins went on to Montreal graduating from McGill Medical School in 1954 - McGill’s first set of identical twins to do so.
Barry and John played school rugby and hockey. The twins were best known as speed demons on the track. Their main competition was each other running in the 100, 220 and 440 yard dashes and the 1 mile relay. Barry still holds the 100 yard dash Maritime Intercollegiate record of 9.8 seconds which he set in 1947. The track team travelled by train to the Canadian National Meet in Edmonton in 1947 winning the relay for which they were honoured and admitted to the NB Sport Hall of Fame in 1999. The Brunswickan in 1949 cited ”Kings in Sportmanship as well as in sport, they are respected for their character as much as their athletic prowess.”
Barry was swept off his feet by Ann who he met on a blind date in Montreal. They returned to New Brunswick to raise their family- first in Millville and then Rothesay in 1957.
Barry was the town family “Doc” for 41 years boasting of doing home visits and even delivering a baby on the walkway to his home. He brought care and compassion to his medical practise often chatting well past his scheduled time. He was in sole practice initially and bought his “Escape Haven” bordering the Fullerton Farm on Long Reach which became his sanctuary. From there he could easily motor boat to his parents and relatives on the opposite side of the Saint John River. In 1968 Barry relocated his family to Station Road and converted his house on Rothesay Commons to a medical clinic, bringing onboard Dr. Olmstead. Dr. David Blagrave was Barry’s partner from 1975 until retirement - forging a lifelong friendship.. Dentistry was added to the top floor. The duo were creative in Introducing new charting systems to the office and took on the medical electronic charting at the SJ Regional Hospital. Hence began Barry’s love of electronics and computers to tinker with. He served as President of NB Medical Society in the 70s.
Life in Rothesay allowed them to forge many lifelong friendships and to engage in the community. He was a member of the Rothesay Living Museum and with Ann attended St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Barry played golf at Riverside with a fearsome foursome – Roger, Mack and Hamish for which creative trophies and the Turnberry Tie were awarded. He formed the early morning walking track group at RCS track dragging along friends and many children. He continued to walk through out Rothesay sporting his Tilly hat during his working lunch hours and well in to his senior years. He and Ann ventured on many a canoe trip traversing most rivers in NB on July long weekends. He was known as “Sawbones” in the geocaching world enjoying the treks and history while locating the hidden treasures with Pat and Zoe. He ventured to Mexico, the Caribbean, across Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Europe eventually resorting to wonderful times in a warmer Florida. He attended Expos soaking in the knowledge. Family camping trips, primarily to PEI were all about seafood and swimming. He was an avid reader dining weekly for lunch on liver and onions with his friend Frank to discuss and debate the numerous books they tackled. A carpenter he was not, though, he and Roger built the cadet sailboat Snoopy in his basement. He did cut out a wooden Santa, Sleigh and 4 Reindeer telling admiring children the other 4 deer were standing behind the other 4 on his roof- truth is he bailed on cutting out antlers. He loved gardening always giving flowers to his wife. He was known for his laugh and practical jokes like Aunt Hatti!!! He and fellow ex- university friends eventually formed the “Long Reach University” giving out honorary degrees yearly during the “happy hours” of Labour Day Weekend. He loved dancing, music and was addicted to ice cream!
Ann and Barry moved in to their accessible home on Steele Street in 2005. Barry became a devoted evening caregiver for his wife in addition to taking on the grocery shopping and hanging of the cloths on the line, loving the fitted sheets! Barry and Ann were enabled to live in their home by so many wonderful and cherished caregivers, helpers, volunteers and health care providers whom we can’t shower enough in gratitude and for whom we are eternally indebted. Due to Barry’s aging medial challenges, he moved to Shannex Nursing Home in Feb. 2023, where Ann continued to visit him 6 days a week.
Barry will be deeply missed and we will cherish the great memories.
Arrangements are under the care of Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis (506-849-2119). A celebration of Barry’s life will take place at a later date. For those who wish, donations in memory of Barry can be made to the CNIB, Multiple Sclerosis Society, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
