John Duncan Bark

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I have lots of great memories of him and the rest of the family. Working up at the cottage or on the tree farm, sitting through a slide show of the canoe trip up north on the Nahani and having his advice readily available. He was an amazing person who had such a kind heart. He will be missed. Our love to everyone.

Dear Chad and Bark Family, I am sorry to hear of your dad's passing. While I didn't have the pleasure of meeting him during his lifetime, knowing he raised you into the exemplary man you are tells me he must have be a devoted and thoughtful father. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May your father's memory be a blessing to the whole family. Warmly, Kathy

What a lovely tribute to John. For years I listened to Peter Gzowski complaining about the traffic to the cottage on a weekend and I would remark to the radio, (I lived somewhat in the bush), then why go to the cottage? Flash forward twenty years and I am going to Ontario for the first time and getting a crash course in cottage life, the Bark way. The boat house was lovely but honest to Pete, the sheets were flannel, the blankets wool and feather pillows and it was +30 in July! John and I had a small but earnest competition in who had the older utensils and appliances, he beat me in the bedding and the vacuum, he really didn't know that sucker had a bag. Many great memories of Chad's Island, water is not my comfort zone but as Bruce and Chad said, everything was fine with John and Bruce at the wheel. We had great trips in the JD, sitting in the chairs with Jackie, Doreen and whoever else was at the cottage, wonderful family picnics. I loved sitting down on the dock listening to the older folk tell the stories of days gone by. John and Jackie were visiting in Dawson one July 1st and we were taking in the events in the Park and doesn't John see a former co-worker, I believe, they had a great chat, its a small world. It was a privilege to have known John, he was very set in his ways but his sense of humour and his membership in so many good causes belay that. I'm so glad the family got to connect on a level he found hard to show in his younger years before he passed. John will be well remembered, my heartfelt condolences to the Bark family. regards Sylvia

I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Judge Bark.. I was a player for the Peterborough Lakers Lacrosse Team when John was part of that organization. We have had some wonderful times in the past and had recently hooked up again at our alumni Christmas Dinners.. Thank you John!!

My sincere condolences to the Bark family. While I did not know his honour professionally, I knew Judge Bark at my business and enjoyed many wonderful greetings and quick talks while walking at the boardwalk. Wishing you a safe journey and everlasting peace.

To the Bark family. Sorry to hear of your father's passing, our thoughts are with you all. Davison's

My condolences to the Bark family. Growing up in Cobourg's east end, I recall seeing Judge Bark taking brisk walks in the neighbourhood with his dog, a black lab named Caesar in particular. One time, perplexed by a legal concern I called him with some hesitation I may add since I had heard about his courtroom reputation. But I also heard that he took his dog to work so thought he must be a good person, an approachable person. His sense of humour was unexpected and welcome. Rest in peace, Sir.

To the Bark Family. Please accept my deepest sympathy on John's passing. A donation in his name has been made to the Northumberland Hills Hospital in his memeoy.

Our deepest condolences to the Bark family. My first introduction to policing was meeting Judge Bark and Caesar. He was so kind, fair and welcoming. He will be greatly missed by all. Please know that you are in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Condolences to the Bark family and friends. One of the best and fairest judges I have met in my 31 years as a peace officer. He was one of a kind. Rest in peace .You will be missed by many but the memorys and storys will be around forever...!!!!!

Our deepest condolences to the whole Bark Family. He will be missed by us and so many. We loved his stories and his love of the Severn. Pat, Paul, Rick, Debbie, Dave & Mandy

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Many fun times and memories spent together from years ago when John and Don played with The Peterborough Antiques hockey team.

Bruce and Chad, hope you boys are managing during this trying time. Great youthful memories of Fairmont and the cottage. Condolences.

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Charity of Your Choice

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

My kindest regards to the Bark family at this time. I remember your Dad and have had the opportunity to spend time with him at the cottage on occasion over the years. I distinctly remember the last time I had a ride in the Gordon with your Dad at the helm and a brief meeting with Chad. He was quite a man who succeeded in raising quite a family and having quite an adventure filled life. My thoughts are with you.

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Heart and Stroke Foundation

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation

John was a wonderful friend to our Dad (Bill Johnson). We always appreciated his support for both our Dad and our sister, Vicky. John and our Dad spent a lot of time together watching Cobourg Cougars hockey games and solving all of the problems in the world. I always wanted to get down to visit him and am so sorry that I never got the chance to do that. He is in our thoughts and prayers. He was an amazing man with so many interesting stories and such a great sense of humour. Rest in peace "Judge".

My deepest condolences to the Bark family. Judge John was an outstanding genteman in every respect. His interaction with others as well as his dealings with his fellow Rotarian was unmatched. John will be dearly missed. .

Judge You will be forever missed at Palisades.😪 My deepest condolences to your family. 😔🙏

I was saddened to hear about the loss of your father and grandfather, my deepest condolences to you all. Your dad, grandfather was an amazing man, highly respected by all who had the honour of knowing him and working with him, he will be truly missed. May God’s love make your grief bearable and give you peace and strength. You are all in my thoughts, my heart and my prayers. Cyndy Harper

Deepest condolences to the Bark children and families. I had the great pleasure of working with Judge Bark in the 80’s and 90’s. Truly a gentleman, kind, honest and fun loving. Tea times at work were filled with interesting stories told by your dad and always lots of laughs. Over the years as our paths have crossed we would always have a good catch up. I am sad to hear the news of his passing and I am thinking of you all at this difficult time.

My sincerest condolences to the family. My memories of John will stay with me. He was upstanding man and I benefited greatly from his sage wisdom and he was a true Rotarian

A wonderful gentleman, a great friend, a cobourg cougar supporter for many years and a fair and highly respected provincial court judge. He will certainly be missed

So sorry to hear about John. It was a pleasure to help him out around the house for a few years before he decided to go to palisades. I so enjoyed his stories.

Our most sincere condolences on John passing. He was a great community supporter and a dedicated Rotarian. When Carol and I decided to renew our vows at 25 years, John let us use the Old Bailey and he conducted the service. He will be missed.

To everyone in the Bark family... I lived and practised law in Cobourg for 35 years (1977-2012), and so naturally was able to have many experiences with His Honour, both personally and professionally. I always told my clients appearing before him that in his comments from the bench, while he might be strongly critical of my client's conduct, his ultimate decision on sentencing would be well reasoned and fair. "His bark (pun fully intended) is worse than his bite" I would tell them. Judge Bark devoted himself fully to do his absolute best every day that he was responsible for attempting to serve the course of justice, and while to some it might appear he "took no prisoners", those of us who worked with him almost every day knew his dedication to fairness and justice. Outside of the court room, I always enjoyed our interactions. Knowing he had faced some heart-related medical issues, I was grateful to receive his encouragement and support when I too faced heart surgery in 2000. Knowing his devotion to his beloved "Caesar", I followed his advice to "get a dog.. get a BIG dog" telling me the dog would walk me back to full health. So I had my own version of "Caesar" - my wonderful Golden Retriever "Oscar" and as always, John's advice was sage and proved true. When I assumed a position as a Judge of the Small Claims Court, he was once again very supportive and encouraging, and he urged me to follow my own values in my own attempts to dispense fair justice. His dedication to his work, and his support of those who worked with him was well known and respected by those who knew him. He was without question a true "character". On his retirement, I was pleased to be invited to give him a musical tribute, so I wrote a parody of the Sinatra standard "My Way", and I hope that it reflected his own unique personality and professionalism. He will be missed. Brad Halls, Fergus, Ontario (formerly of Cobourg)

I had the honour of knowing and working with John several times over his final years. He entertained my staff and I with endless stories gleaned from years of adventures. He was a very fine gentleman who left an indelible mark.

I have fond memories of occasional, contact with John many years ago, always having to do with fishing. My sincere condolences.

Sorry to hear of Judge Bark's passing, he was a great friend of my late father, Ray Bell , they shared many stories and adventures through the years. Anne Reyns

We sadly note the passing of our neighbour and good friend John Bark. We were very fortunate to have John as neighbour for 9 years and during that time we enjoyed both his candor and wonderment at his zest for life. We were fortunate to accompany John to his island retreat in his later years to help him open up his beloved cottage and enjoyed his stories of his family and friends who have enjoyed that very special part of his life. John will be sorely missed. Barry and Geri Wray

Having worked in the Crown Attorney’s office for many years, I am aware of the high respect held for Judge Bark. He always had time to stop when passing our office door and exchange pleasantries; I very much enjoyed the wonderful person that he was. My deepest sympathies to the family.

My sincere condolences to the Bark family. I am so sorry to hear of Judge Bark's passing. I worked with him for many years in the courts and I will hold many fond memories of him. He will be missed.

I’m so sorry for your loss to the family of Judge Bark. One day along time ago he gave me scare and I thaught for sure l was going to jail, but what he did do was teach me a lesson to never go back in front of a judge again . Thank Judge Bark. R.I.P John.

So sorry for your loss. I am a retired member of the Cobourg Police Service and had the great pleasure having Judge Bark hear some of my cases . Judge Bark always had our back. Plus the charged persons always cringed when they heard it was Judge Bark hearing thier case. Well respected and intelligent person to be sitting in such a position.

I only had a couple of interactions with John Bark and they were both pleasant. May he RIP. Lisa Morse

So sorry to hear of Johns passing. He was a wonderful man who Sue used to love working for. We will miss seeing him on his walks.

After years of following his published court proceedings, I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Bark personally a couple of years ago. I was truly impressed with the retired man in front of me. Grounded, down to earth, and extremely personable. The kind of person that motivated me today to express my sincere condolences to you his family. An accomplished man of modest integrity, and very proud of his sporting past and his family...RIP

Thank you for informing us Louise of your dad's passing. As the family gathers to share and remember together may the sharing provide you with solace and comfort.

I first met John Bark in first form high school at UTS in Toronto. He has been a great companion during many fishing and hunting trips since then. The Bully-O Hunt Club would not exist today without his leadership. My condolences to Louise, Chad and Bruce. Goodbye my great friend.

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation

Covering court for the local paper, I always appreciated the chance to be in a Judge Bark courtroom. He brooked no nonsense (inspiring many comments about the appropriateness of his surname), but rendered thoughtful, considered and even compassionate verdicts. PS - I had the chance to have lunch with him and his clerk once during a recess at a Campbellford court session, and thoroughly enjoyed his company! A remarkable individual, and my condolences go out to the family.

I have great memories of seeing and speaking with “The Judge” during the annual moose hunt. I’m from the neighbouring Wallace camp. The visits, the train ride, and the common love of the outdoors are special memories for me. My condolences to the family.

You will be missed by so many. It was a pleasure to get to know you. Palisades will not be the same without you. May you rest in peace my friend.

Our deepest sympathy to the Bark family in the passing of John. I worked with His Honour for many years at the Cobourg Court office and found he was a fair and respected Justice. I have many good memories of him from the office-teatime in the lunchroom, driving to court with his dog Caesar in the back seat, our many talks of his adventures, Algonquin Park and his cottage. He will be missed.

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father John to the Bark family, he was a wonderful man to work with, and we had some great visits, may the wonderful memories guide you through this sad and difficult time.....Florence, David and Brad......

Words can not express our deepest sympathy to your family. We have know your parents for many years and we must say we are so sorry on the passing of your father. He was such a wonderful man and a great storey teller on his canoeing adventures. He was such a fair judge. Will be greatly missed from our community.