James MacCuish Barlow

Born on March 11, 1939, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Jim was the son of the late James William Barlow and Bessie Etta Barlow (née MacCuish). He grew up in Cape Breton and Ontario, and spent the majority of his adult life in Halifax, the city he called home.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lois Elaine Barlow; his children, Lee Simpson (Keith) and Alex Barlow (Tracey); his grandchildren, Gwen, Andrew, Jennifer, Julia, Holly, David, and Emily; and his sister, Donalda MacDonald (Rick). He was predeceased by his son, David Barlow.

At 17, Jim boarded a train in Kitchener, Ontario, bound for Victoria, British Columbia, to join the Royal Canadian Navy as a member of HMCS Venture's class of '58. It was the beginning of a 38-year career as a Maritime Surface and Sub-Surface Officer that took him to postings in Halifax, Ottawa, and Toronto, and on exchange with the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, England. He served in numerous ships, culminating in his command of HMCS Saguenay, and he finished his career as Queen's Harbour Master in Halifax.

Jim loved to travel, and he was a loyal fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He will be remembered for his dry wit, his famous impatience, and the twinkle of mischief in his eye — and for outrageous jokes and stories told with a completely straight face, while everyone around him lost theirs.

A funeral service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Saint David in Halifax on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the Royal Artillery Park Officers' Mess from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at the QEII Hospital, Unit 8.2 — especially Nurse Sky, who shared as much interest in the Jays games as Jim did — and to the staff of the 9 Lane palliative care unit, for their kindness and compassion.

Fair winds and following seas.