1 September 2015

 

It is with much sadness that the Order announces that the former Lord Prior, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Lawrence Barry CD, died on 24th August 2015 aged 88.

 

He became a St John Ambulance (SJA) volunteer in Montreal in 1968. His deep commitment to SJA, the Priory of Canada and the world-wide Order of St John culminated in his appointment as Lord Prior from 2002 to 2008. As a Canadian, he was the first non-British Lord Prior.

 

He served in the Canadian Forces Reserves for 17 years and was commanding officer of the Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) from 1960 to 1964. He was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1960 and was also a life member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps Association.

 

Eric’s business career concentrated on the management of not-for-profit organisations. In 1979 he was appointed president and chief executive of the Canadian Textiles Institute. An expert in international trade negotiations, he was an adviser to the Canadian Government during negotiations for the GATT Multi-Fibre Arrangement, the Canada- US Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. He also held the federal appointment of director of the Standards Council.

 

An avid skier and runner, he enjoyed travelling and felt very blessed to have seen most of the world during his lifetime. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Christine and his five children.

 

The great officers, the Secretary-General and the staff at the International Office in London extend their sincere condolences to his family at this very sad time.

 

Donations in Eric's memory may be made to the Order of St John.