John Henry Barra-Berger, affectionately known as “Frenchie”, passed suddenly early Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket. His wife Beverley, daughter Stephanie (husband Jeff Stephenson), son Daniel (Michelle Petrides) share their sadness privately and express sincere thanks for the support of family and friends. John’s sister Marinette (“Nanette”) Mancini, many nieces and nephews in John’s birthplace of Marseilles, France share their sorrow as well.
Cremation has taken place.
If desired, tributes to John’s memory may be directed to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, 152 Wilson Street, Oakville L6K 0G6.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Al Fraser
I will remember John as a kind and friendly man always willing to share a welcoming word and an interesting story. He lived an incredible life. My condolences to John’s family. I share you loss. As long as we remember, he is not really gone.
Robert (Bob) and Linda Boak
Our Condolences to the family
Earl Groombridge
Bev and family
So sorry to hear of John passing
Condolences to all of you
Earl and Margaret Groombridge
Karen and Tony Peters
We were so saddened to hear of Johns’s passing. May the love and support of family and friends help to ease your sorrow.
Linda Gauslin
Bev & Stephanie & Daniel
So sorry for your loss John was such a wonderful person. My heart goes out to all of you in your time of sorrow.
Linda Gauslin
Rev. George K
Beverley, Stefanie and Daniel,
My deepest condolences on John’s passing. He was loved and appreciated. I always enjoyed his conversation and his respect.
My prayers for him and for you at this time.
Rev. George
Gavin Watt
Memories of John will always be warm and happy. He was forever upbeat, always helpful, and full of humour. Such a great story teller – and what stories to tell!
He was devoted to Bev and the kids and so true to his many friends.
The world has lost and heaven has gained.
Gavin & Gill Watt
Rob Grieve
Bev, Stephanie and Daniel,
Although John has left us, his life adventures will be remembered by all that met him. He counselled many people when he worked in the film industry and many others over the years. He certainly accomplished many things that others would only dream about. His stories are treasured. John, aka “Frenchie” will be missed but, his memory lives on.
Rob and Andrea Grieve
Gary and Patsy Crocker
Sorry hear about your loss Bev. John will be greatly missed. Sending our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Pamela, Philip, and Rachael O'Dell
Bev, Stephanie, and Daniel,
Our family will miss John tremendously and we offer our sincere condolences to you all. John was an amazing soul, a raconteur, and a true friend to our whole family. We always had a laugh and a smile when “Frenchie” and Bev made a visit to us in Shelburne or later in Puslinch. He shared many similar experience with my dad Derek and they were great friends and I was very lucky to have been included in that. The world has lost a wonderful person in John and we were all very blessed to have had him in our lives. I can’t count the number of laughs we had together and the best thing was we all laughed, John had a unique gift of including everyone. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Pamela, Philip, & Rachael
Gary Blakeley
My heartfelt condolences go to John’s family. It was always a real pleasure to talk with him and to listen to his wonderful stories. I will remember him fondly.
Paul Breadner
Whenever John “Frenchie” entered a room there was a change in the buzz!
He was always engaging and so interesting a person to be around that we could all feel that energy and wanted to be part of it.
Please accept our condolences and know that John will be missed but in our hearts.
“To Absent Friends”
Ron Craig
John was responsible for starting so many people in the film business. He was directly responsible for starting my career, and I lost count of the times I called him for help. This included career advice and technical advice: without exception, he always provided me with what I required. And I cannot count the times I drove to his home to pick up supplies or equipment I needed for a project.
He was the most generous person I have ever met in the film or TV industry. He was liked by everyone in the industry, and he truly was a pioneer who contributed to the development of the Canadian film industry. He will never be forgotten.
My condolences to you your family Bev – he will be sadly missed, and I share your loss.
Carlo Cosolo
It was an honour to have known John and to have benefited from his wisdom and the great stories of his life experiences. Deepest condolences Bev and family, I’ll miss him a lot.
Kathy and Bill Patterson
Dear Bev, Stephanie and Daniel,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of John.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
vlad bjel
See you up there in heaven Frenchie! You’ll be greatly missed by us all. God bless!
Heather Young
Dear Bev Stephanie and Family, I was so sorry to hear a about John. So many great old memories. He sure could make you laugh. A sorry as I was to see the notice my next thought was I wonder what shenanigans him and Albert were up to. My thoughts are with you.
Roy Butler
Sincerest condolences to you Bev and your family. John was a very unique individual. I will treasure the memories of him with our club over the years and more recently with the pizza lunches at your place. Though he is no longer with us, the memories and his legacy will live on. God bless.
Diane Moratto
Bev, Daniel and Stephanie,
My sincere condolences on John’s passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary Onysko
My deepest sympathies to the family.