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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
RUSSELL, Harold Barry A. - 76, Halifax. Barry died peacefully on Wednesday, March 12, 2009, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, with his wife, Penelope, by his side, following a courageous struggle with illness. Born in Tillsonburg, Ont., and raised in London, Ont., he was the second son of the late Violet (Ross) and George Russell. In 1962, Barry married Penelope Joy Stanbury in Halifax, where they raised their family. Barry attended London South Collegiate and then the University of Western Ontario as a UNTD cadet obtaining his B.A. in 1954 as a Sub-Lieutenant. He worked as a Naval Reservist joined National Cash Register, and then returned to UWO, graduating with an MBA in 1959. Barry pursued a full-time naval career, and in 1960 was introduced to Penelope, the event that he later described as the "watershed mark" of his life. In 1966, Barry retired from the navy as Lieutenant-Commander after training throughout Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., and sailing on many ships including HMCS Beaconhill, Racoon, Nootka, Quinte, Labrador and Lanark. However, on of his most memorable cruises was post-retirement, when he sailed in luxury in the Caribbean with Penelope, aboard Bluenose II. As a civilian, Barry worked for DuPont of Canada in Montreal and with NEsbitt Thompson Investments, transferring back to Halifax in 1970. In 1977 Barry joined The Maritime Life Assurance Company where he oversaw the company's bond portfolio, actively managed the short-term investment program and was responsible for the segregated funds. Barry felt his most memorable accomplishment at Maritime Life was his pivotal contribution to the preferred share project back in 1986, where he quarterbacked the company's efforts to complete a successful public share issue. After 14 years with Maritime Life, and in the position of Corporate Treasurer, Barry retired in 1991. A pianist, drummer, singer, dancer and actor, Barry was a lifelong participant in and supporter of the arts. He faithfully attended Neptune Theatre since its founding in 1963. He was a member of the Edsel Investment Club, The Naval Officers Association of Canada, HMCS Sackville Wardroom, the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and the Treasury Management Association of Canada. As a member of Canadian Martyrs Parish, Barry was also a long-time member of All Saints Cathedral where he served as sidesman for over two decades. Barry was always a strong supporter of the family's activities in sports, scouting, cadets, and music. Barry's most enjoyable retirement activity by far was supporting Penelope's choral activities by listening to her practice sessions and attending her concerts in Nova Scotia, Scotland, Ireland, and even at Carnegie Hall, despite his advancing illness. Barry is survived by his wife of over 45 years, Penelope (Stanbury); sons, Charles (Loraine Tobia, Jordan and Joshua White), Halifax; Paul (Laura, Christopher and William Russell), Sackville; Richard (Emily Beardsley, Charlotte and Violet Russell), Charlottetown, PEI; sister-in-law, Betty (Myrick), Delhi, Ont.; nephew, Rick (Gill), and nieces, Lynn and Pam Russell, Toronto. In addition to his parents, Barry was predeceased by his brother, Colmar. The family offers sincere thanks to our friends for their support over the past seven years. Also, we thank Dr. Jack Graham, Dr. Ormille Hayne, Dr. Tim Benstead, Unit 8.2 of the Halifax Infirmary, Unit 9 of the Abbie J. Lane, Palliative Care of the QEII, Red Cross Home Care, VON Halifax, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wickwire Fund for Hematology Research, QEII Foundation, Halifax. Visitation will be in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, Halifax, on Sunday, March 16, from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral mass will be in Canadian Martyrs Church, Inglis Street, Halifax, on Monday, March 17, at 11 a.m. Interment will be on a later date at the family chapel Santa Maria del Pilar, Sackville. (Halifax Chronicle Herald 14 Mar 2008)
According to the Canadian Navy List, H.B.A. Russell served in the following ships: HMCS PREVOST (Naval Reserve Division, London, ON): 1952 - 1958 HMCS SWANSEA - Summer 1958 for sea training as a SLt, RCN HMCS RESTIGOUCHE - 1961-1962 as a Lt, RCN HMCS QUINTE - 1963 as a Lt, RCN, XO HMCS VICTORIAVILLE - 1964 - as a Lt, RCN, XO
There is no record of him serving in the following ships listed in his obituary in the Canadian Navy List but likely served in them during summer training while at HMCS Prevost for UNTD and post UNTD training from 1952 till the summer of 1958:
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For Posterity's Sake 
