Recreation director.
Born in Mosa Township, Ontario in 1906, son of W. C. Barbour, he graduated from Northwestern University. He was director of physical education at Lower Canada College and several other Montreal educational institutions in the 1930s, and served as trainer for the Montreal Maroons in 1934-35. As summer recreational director for the town of Mount Royal, he employed the motto, “The family that plays together stays together.”
He came to Winnipeg in 1946 to become the City’s director of recreation, serving until his death. Barbour was associated with many developments during his tenure with the city, including the expansion of the community club concept, the introduction of the Little League, and the establishment of Rainbow Stage. He was awarded the City of Winnipeg’s Citizen’s Award in 1974.
He was married twice, first in 1932 to Alexandra Carswell (c1903-1960) with whom he had two sons. On 21 September 1963, he married Margaret Jean Wilson.
He died at the Health Sciences Centre on 13 February 1975 and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery.
See also:
A City at Leisure: An Illustrated History of Parks and Recreation Services in Winnipeg, 1893-1993 by Catherine Macdonald (1995).
“Playground work changed both career and outlook,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 December 1964.
“Funeral service Saturday for Mrs. Barbour,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 March 1960, page 9.
“Wilson - Barbour,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 August 1963, page 15.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 14 February 1975, page 21.
Dictionary of Manitoba Biography by John M. “Jack” Bumsted, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 13 August 2023
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