BARR, Colonel Michael Davis Barr, OMM, CD

“A few drinks, a few laughs, and nobody got hurt…and those that did – probably deserved it!” In loving memory of a Legend – in both his Family and the Canadian Army – Colonel (Ret’d) Michael Davis Barr, OMM, CD It is truly the end of an era. Michael (aka Colonel, Sir, Mike, Dad, Grandpa, Bubba) passed away on 21 Dec, 2025. He did not “go gentle into that good night.” He passed unexpectedly, but in the company of dear friends. Dad was 90 years young – or “in his 91st year” as he liked to say. He was still driving, defying most of the effects of age and still had more than a few miles left in the tank. But if there is a silver lining, he avoided an eventual end in an old age home – that he dreaded so much – in part as a result of visiting his beloved wife of over 63 years, Betty, daily during her final 16 years at Rideaucrest. Young Michael, son of Ernest and Margaret Barr, was very much influenced by returning World War 2 Veterans (including family) and seemed destined for a career in the Military, beginning as a Reservist with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. But – as a waiter at the Banff Springs Hotel, while waiting to hear if had been accepted for Officer Training – his life very nearly went in a different direction. After developing an unlikely but real friendship with actor Jay Silverheels (the original “Tonto”) he was taken on as an extra (as both a Mountie and a First Nations Warrior) for the movie “Saskatchewan” starring Hollywood legends Alan Ladd and Shelley Winters. He had several parts and was subsequently offered a chance to go to Hollywood to become an actor. But at the last moment, fate stepped in and he was directed to report to Canadian Forces Base Borden to begin Officer Training, where he met lifelong friend LCol (Ret’d) Murray McDonald. As they say – the rest is history – but Dad always harboured a “what if” had he pursued the Hollywood path.

Dad leaves behind a family of which he was so very proud, including his three sons: Col (Ret’d) David Barr (PPCLI/Cdn AB Regt/CANSOF), LCol (Ret’d) Jeffrey Barr (RCD), LCol Christopher Barr (PPCLI/L Edm R/41 CER) and daughter Capt (Ret’d) Laura Kissmann (RCAF). He will be sadly missed by son-in-law LCol (Ret’d) Paul Kissmann (RCAF); daughters-in law: Dawn Barr and Dr Lee Barr; Christine Phibbs-Barr; and 12 grandchildren: Arwen, Aislin, Ariana, Dana, LCdr (N) Alex, Lt (N) Mitchell, Kara, Ethan, Brandon, Dawson, Devon and Keith. To his immense pride and surprise, he will also be remembered in the future by his young great-grandsons: River and Lucas. Dad will also be very much missed by the Bell and McDonald Families with whom we all have lifelong connections and treasured memories.

As a soldier, Dad was most proud of three events/appointments in an extraordinary career: he was instrumental in the creation and shaping of the new Canadian Airborne Regiment in addition to being the Founding Commander of 2 Airborne Commando; he commanded 3 Airborne Mechanized Commando in Germany at the height of the Cold War; and in 1979 he was elevated to Acting Commander of the United Nations Observer Force (UNDOF) Golan Heights (3 ranks above his present rank of LCol at the time) and, at the height of the Iranian Revolution, he oversaw the very delicate disarming and removal/repatriation of the Iranian Battalion from the Golan Heights in the midst of IDF threats to avenge previous perceived and real actions by Iran. For his conspicuous leadership in resolving such a volatile and delicate situation (his direction from UN HQ, New York, was “Do what you think is best”) – and in recognition of an extraordinary career, he was invested as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit. It should also be noted that Dad’s service to Canada and Nation Building around the world did not end with his retirement from the Canadian Forces. He would go on to have multiple OSCE, CANADEM and NGO “deployments” to Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Ukraine, Macedonia, and Israel/Gaza – the last of which was during his 70s! …..But let there be no doubt, he was equally legendary within the family.

He was renowned for making Oscar worthy family movies, playing his boogie on the piano, dancing the Jitterbug and Charleston, sailing as a “Topman” to the Caribbean and back several times, being caught by Google Maps/Street View raking leaves off his roof (at 90!), and leading his young and impressionable Grandchildren on “Adventures” that sometimes resembled the Royal Marine Commando Course (of which he was a graduate as well as being the first Canadian to graduate the early days of the US Special Forces Green Beret ”Q” Course in 1959). Those grandchildren will tell you that he influenced them to embrace his spirit of adventure into their own lives. And could he tell a story! And most of them were true! Grandpa/Bubba was and is beloved by all his family but especially by his grandchildren to whom he was truly larger than life! Dad, despite being almost 91 years old, you still left us too early, leaving more than a few broken hearts amongst your family and friends. Certainly not by your choice. Indeed, you confided often that you were so proud of the family and were looking forward to celebrating more milestones, weddings, engagements and even more great grandchildren – as well as wanting to see what was going to happen next in “this crazy world.” We are all going to miss you Dad, and you will be remembered and loved forever! But we take solace, that after being apart from your wife of 63 years, since Mom passed in 2021, you and your beloved Betty will againbe together – for eternity.

Dad’s final place of rest will be with Mom after a private service at the Beechwood National Military Cemetery in Ottawa at a date yet to be determined in 2026.

Pro Patria and Airborne!