Obituary - From the Houston Today Newspaper of October 26th 1983

Friends and neighbors up and down Francois Lake mourned the passing of Barry Grainger last Saturday afternoon October 1st. Grainger passed away suddenly as he was launching his boat for an afternoon of fishing in a little lake east of Wisteria. He had just passed his 61st birthday on September 23rd. Funeral services were conducted from the Rod and Gun Club house in Burns Lake on Thursday October 6th with the Rev. Les Hutton of Houston officiating. Honorary Pallbearers included Tom and Hugh Cowan, Fred Stearns, Alford Harrison, Jack Nelson, and Bill Richmond. Serving as active Pallbearers were Stanley Blackwell, Cyril Shelford, Louie Snyder, Ken Cassidy, Innes Short, and Bill Harrison. Internment was in the Burns Lake Cemetery, following which refreshments were served at the Rod and Gun Club house, courtesy of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Burns Lake Legion. Grainger, one of the last of the Nadina trappers spent some 47 years living on the homesite at the head of Francois Lake which his family established after arriving there from Lloydminister Alta. in 1936. From his vantage point on the brow of the hill he could watch the comings and goings of the swamp's residents, the moose and bear, the beavers and muskrats, and a multitude of birds as they passed through the changing seasons, year after year. Except for the time Grainger spent overseas during World War II, the log house sitting above the willow swamp has been home. He made his living as a trapper running a 12 mile trap line south into the Shelford Hills and north towards Parrot Creek. He was also a big game guide with a guiding territory heading west towards Tahtsa and Morice. Grainger was enjoying a particularily good guiding season this fall, catering to well established long term clientelle who came back year after year. He also ran a small herd of beef cattle and occasionally worked as a logger. Barry Grainger was active in the affairs and organizations of the lakehead area, and played goalie for the Nadina Hockey Club for years. He served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment, spending four years in England Holland Belgium France and Germany. Military ritual was carried out during the last rites by the Burns Lake Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Although he pursued a living by hunting and fishing and trapping, Grainger was dedicated to the welfare and well being of wildlife. He was a member of Tweedsmuir Rod and Gun Club and served on the executive for 12 years. He was also a member of the Western Guides and Outfitters for 16 years. In his passing Barry was pursuing the life he loved the best, the Rev Hutton commented in concluding his oration at the funeral service. Besides his many friends, Barry will be fondly remembered by his brother Martin at Leo Creek, sister Barbara and husband Bill Peden, his special friend Kay Chappelle, and his only nephew Jim Tourond, wife Leah, and their children Loren and Naomi.