Name: Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel
Address: Toronto, ON

Like Mary Bennett, I too, just found out Mr. Barkley died back in March. He was a kind, caring and passionate man who will be missed by those who knew him. He was my French teacher at Agincourt Collegiate for five years and always called me Jeanette in class. In later years I saw George and Susan socially with the Palmers and will always remember their kindness.

Bruce, Scott, Geoff and Nancy
I only just found out that your father had passed away.   I am so sorry to hear that.  He was a lovely gentleman in the truest sense - a gentle man.   
He and Susan and my parents (Gordon and Sheila Palmer) spent many happy times together in Agincourt and then later as they grew older and moved.   I remember your parents coming out to Calgary with my parents and sleeping on a blow up mattress on the livingroom floor  in our apartment.  My parents had the one bedroom and they wouldn't hear of my husband and me giving up our bedroom.  They insisted that they had slept on far worse and I'm sure they had!    I remembered they talked about all of you a lot and their grandchildren!   They were so proud of all of you.
Our mothers died within days of each other which I always thought was rather fitting considering what close friends they were.  
My deepest condolences to all of you.

Mary Bennett (Palmer)

From another post to Cedarbrae alumni in June 2021, after Nancy realized I went to Cedarbrae, I posted the question if anyone remembers Mr. Barklay.  Wanted to share these warm comments: 

Maria Uhrig Handley
I remember him being very kind and caring. Lovely man.

Alvaro Humaña
Yes I remember Mr Barkley he taught Spanish, which is my first language, we went on Camp one year 76 I believe, he wanted me to go so I could help with the immersion aspect, it didn’t work very well but I had a blast 😂

Peggy Anderson-Coats
Yes he was my Spanish teacher. He called me Juanita in class. He was so very nice.

Jackie Smith Ho
We got to choose our own Spanish names…loved his passion. It was truly infectious.
Maybe he assigned us a name…🤷🏻‍♀️. Details are fuzzy. All I know is, I was named Pilar ! LOL. SUCH a wonderful wonderful man.

Liz Blight
I had him for general French and conversational/advanced French. I liked him very much. He meant a great deal to me and had a great influence on me.

Brenda MacPherson
I do! I had him for French! He was terrific.

Heike Eble
Super awesome and funny Spanish teacher...and I took a semester of Latin with him too!

Allan MacArthur
Yes. I remember him well. A much respected colleague.

Jackie Clifford
Yes!!!! He was amazing!  A great teacher and very caring.



My condolences Nancy, to you and your family. 
I shared the news of your dad with a Cedarbrae group.  Here are some comments shared about Mr. Barklay.  I really wish I had him as a teacher. 

Laura Bird
Sending deep condolences to Mr Barkley's family, friends, fellow staffers and students from the Cedarbrae C.I. Friends.

Marie Koster
RIP Mr. Barkley. I had him for Spanish and French (I think, too). He was a great teacher. My condolences to his family.

Beth John
My condolences to his family. I had Mr. Barker in grade 11 for Spanish. He was an excellent teacher. RIP

Kyle Y. Whitfield
I adored senor barklay. He taught us about life.

Mary-Anne Morkel
I never had Mr. Barkley as a teacher at Cedarbrae, but I remember him, and he always seemed like a very friendly, kind man.  My condolences to his family. 

Jackie Smith Ho
I fondly remember M. Barkley as a passionate and caring educator who had an enormously positive influence on my life and decision to enter the teaching profession. He was always bursting with enthusiasm! ❤️

Todd Hallam
I remember him from French class. He was always a nice man and a great teacher! My condolences to his family.



Dear Scott & Family . . . . 

Condolences to you and yours on the passing of your Dad, the "Gentle Man".
It was my intention of seeing you at today's service.
Regrettably, I won't be able to make it though.
Let's get together soon and toast a life well lived!
Love,
Marnie

Larry, Jean, Kathy, David, and Tracey Smith all send deep sympathies and love at the passing of George.  Larry considered George his closest friend.  We remember them especially sharing many 24th of May fishing trips at the Smith family cottage along with Bryce, Larry's brother.  George was never the luckiest in catching fish, but on one occasion he did catch the biggest bass they ever caught.  He was very proud!  Along with fishing there was some beer and poker and some serious naps.  Larry and George shared a lot of memories from their university days, where neither one had seemed destined to be university students but both proved to be excellent teachers.  Many New Years Eve get-togethers were shared by the couples over the years.  There is too much to say, but we will just ask God's blessing on your family at this time.  

On behalf of Victoria University, please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Sincerely, the staff of Alumni Affairs & Advancement. 

Mr. Barkley was my Spanish and French teacher at Cedarbrae Collegiate in Scarborough back in the 70’s, and he was a fabulous teacher; always friendly and helpful.  
My condolences to his family and friends. 

Marie Koster

Peggy and I were very saddened to learn of George’s passing but we are grateful for having known him. He lived a very full and accomplished life and was truly, a wonderful guy! He will live on in our memories.
George and I first met at the University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria, where we were teaching 1971-73. While there we shared many adventures and experiences which we would recount for years after. A number of these memories were written down and shared with George and his family on the occasion of his 90th birthday in August 2017.
On my return to Canada I married Peggy and there would be many get-togethers with George & Sue and fellow travellers from our Unilag days, George and Pearl Richert, Bea Ashem, Wendy Lawrence and Marie Riley. For many of us the Nigerian experience exposed us to African art. George and Sue took the love of this art to the opening of the gallery Best of Africa. One memorable event was the opening of an exhibition by Bruce Onobrakpeya, Nigeria’s master print-maker, in April 1979. We met him and two of his prints hang in our house.
Two other particular occasions come to mind. In 2007 George Richert, who had retired from academia, had taken a position with the Mennonite Central Committee on a development project in Jordan. He and Pearl were living in the capital, Amman, and invited the four Toronto-based friends to visit.  Amazing time, visiting many sites - Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, and others. It was an opportunity to renew friendships, recall past adventures and develop new memories.
Later, in 2009, we would all get together at George and Pearl’s home in Swift Current and experience some of the real Saskatchewan, touring local sites. Again, a truly memorable time, catching up with each other and reminiscing.
Sadly we experienced the loss of George Richert (2016) & Sue (2020) but the memories endure and we treasure them!
Our deepest sympathy is extended to George’s family,

Love from Peggy & Murray


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FUNERAL HOME
Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel
467 Sherbourne Street
Toronto, ON

GEORGE BARKLEY OBITUARY
BARKLEY, GEORGE SIMPSON George passed away, at age 95 on March 14, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife, Susan. He will be missed by his children, Bruce (Carolyn), Scott, Geoff (Anne) and Nancy (Byron); his ten grandchildren and his great-granddaughter. George was a longtime teacher for Toronto District School Board. Arrangements entrusted to Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home. Please visit their wesbite at rosar-morrison.com for information on George's upcoming funeral arrangements.

Published by Toronto Star on Mar. 18, 2023.
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MEMORIES & CONDOLENCES
FOR GEORGE BARKLEY

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I am deeply saddened to learn of George's passing. Mr. Barkley was the most important teacher in my life - caring, challenging, engaging, supportive, encouraging - the best of the best. George inspired my lifelong love of learning, languages, travel and my career in education. His life beyond and after his teaching career was a reflection of the same dedication, curiosity and passion for new experiences he inspired in his students. His was truly a life well and fully lived.
I am very sorry I won't be able to attend George's funeral as I will be traveling. I think he would be OK with that.
My sincere condolences to all who loved and will miss him,
A grateful student,
Heidi
Heidi Gollert
Friend

To the family of George Barkley:
I was saddened to hear of the death of George, whom I hadn't seen recently.  I met George as one of a group of Canadians who had taught in Lagos, Nigeria.  Although our time there did not overlap -- I was at University of Lagos 1969-71 -- I met George & Sue when I returned, especially in the context of Best of Africa Gallery, where our  interests in art coincided.  In 1987-90, I was in Jakarta, Indonesia with CIDA, and George & Sue stayed with me, while on a regional hiking trip.  I recall their trying to get through a night without turning on the AC!  In the years since, we  visited when I have been in Toronto, and shared many pleasant memories, also involving other such friends.  George was always very well-informed and  good-humoured.
Please accept my condolences.
- Wendy Lawrence, Ottawa   

OBITUARY

George Simpson Barkley

August 5, 1927 – March 14, 2023

Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel

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