On January 17, 2025, exactly one month shy of his 93rd birthday, Barney slipped away to join his lifelong love and wife of 69 years, Jean.
What a full and adventurous life they had made! Born to Polish immigrant parents on a homestead farm in Manitoba, Barney left farm life to his first, equally demanding but paying job - labouring to build the Trans Canada railway at only 16. He next joined 3 of his brothers in the mining industry in Sudbury, lured by the big Inco opportunity. That was where he met Jean from Fredericton and, at least according to him, she ‘allowed’ him to believe that he was ‘chasing’ her! Either way, they both won, had four children, moved to Elliot Lake and had their fifth, and final child.
Barney wore many different and creative hats in this ‘Jewel in the Wilderness’. By any measure, he was a strong man: Physically (in his own words: “I don’t wear work gloves because they wear out too easily”) and Mentally (in his dear friend’s words: “Barney was Barney”)! His accomplishments were many and varied: Carving South Bay Park and Marina out of the woods adjacent to Dunlop, all the while working full time as an Electrician; Potter and active member of the Arts Council; Yoga student turned Group Leader; Fur trapper, hunter and fisherman; House builder; Retired at only 45; Worldwide traveler; Expat wintering in his Mexican home; Obsessive Card player:…and did we mention he had 5 kids to boot?! Sadly, Barney’s inherited RP eventually lead to total blindness and he moved to Assisted Living in 2022 where he spent his last years.
Barney’s family is truly indebted to St Joseph’s Manor for their excellent care, compassion, and attention: Jean (nee Chase)(predeceased) Wisniewski; His 5 children: Brenda (Bill - predeceased) Whitecross, Betty Ann (Jairaj) Chugh, Wayne (Shirley) Wisniewski, David Wisniewski, and Ronald Wisniewski (predeceased); 5 grandchildren: David (Rebecca) Whitecross, Jennifer Whitecross, Sarah (Isaac) Belisle, Ashley (Mike) Rejent, Kavika Chugh (predeceased); 10 great-grandchildren; and enough siblings, in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins too fill this entire newspaper! You are loved and missed Dad.
Barney’s Celebration of Life will be held 1 PM on July 19th at The Moose Hall.