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Sidney Barron Obituary
BARRON, Sidney Arnold June 13, 1917 April 29, 2006 Our Dear Sid died peacefully in the loving care of Mount St. Mary Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born in Toronto in 1917 and at age two years, his family moved to Victoria where he lived and grew up. Sid attended South Park Elementary and Victoria High School. He is best remembered for all his incredible editorial cartoons. Starting in 1957 at the Victoria Times, reprinted also in the Victoria Times Colonist; he continued his career at the Toronto Star for 30 years and for six years at the Albertan paper in Calgary. The majority of Sid's original cartoons are now in the National Archives of Canada. Sid's wonderful humour left us with a legacy of laughter. His famous line, "Mild isn't it? " and in Calgary, "Aren't the mountains pretty today? " will continue to bring great memories with a smile. Sid was an artist extraordinaire and one of Canada's great icons. Sid continued to paint for many years after retiring from cartooning. He especially enjoyed plein air painting with his wife Jesi. His love of the sea would find him walking on the beach looking for great treasure of driftwood, coloured rope, and if very lucky, a west coast glass ball. He would say. "That's a 10! " Sid was one of those "special " kind of people who quite simply "made life fun. " Sid will be deeply missed by his wife of many years, Jessamine, and his much loved stepchildren, David Connor and young Richard Connor, Susan Barron and young Michael Barron; as well as his sister, Florence Hartman and cousin, Linda Forbes (Gordie). He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Lisa Barron Murray (Ramona and Santana), his son, Steven Barron, Irene Visser Barron, grandchildren Zoe and Eamon, as well as daughter Catherine McLeod (Olivia and Dallas). We give special thanks to Dr. Derek Carroll, the care workers, nurses and staff of Mount St. Mary Hospital. Donations may be made in Sid"s memory to Mount St. Mary Hospital or the charity or your choice. A memorial service will be held at First Memorial Funeral Chapel. 1155 Fort Street on Friday, May 5, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. 238101
Memories and Condolences
for Sidney Barron
4 Entries
David Glover
May 3, 2006
A few days ago Canada lost one of its great newspaper treasures in the passing of Victoria's SId Barron. If you were a Times subscriber in the 1950's and early '60's you couldn't miss the editorial page brilliance of Barron's veddy British Oake Baye world. Later the residents of Calgary were treated to the Barron biplane announcing by banner "Mild...isn't it?". Then those lucky folks reading the Toronto Star had Barron as their own for three panels a week. What was with that striped ring-tailed cat using show cards to make a daily comment on all things important to a feline? But those Torontonians probably never knew that Sid Barron didn't live anywhere near Ontario. He was poking fun at their big city from the Campbell Building on Douglas Street. Sid had come home to the island for good. And that is when I came into his life.
Sid Barron was my cartoonist hero and I did some detective work to locate him. It was in 1968 when I knocked on his studio door with some goofy story and yet he welcomed me in to his world regardless.. I remember everything about that day like it was yesterday. I explained I wanted to be like him and he wondered why anybody would want to do a silly thing like that. Whether Sid wanted to or not, from that day forward he became my mentor. He coached me on drawing, inking, idea development, writing and just what it took to become a professional . And when the time was right, (after lots of constructive criticism) Sid made that all important call to the Victoria Times Managing Editor, Gordon Bell. To this day, I am sure the only reason Mr. Bell gave me the time of day was because of his admiration for Sid. He introduced me to Peter Murray the Op-ed Editor who actually gave me a shot at illustrating a story. (I still have a clipping of that first piece). So there I was still in my teens and freelancing for a daily newspaper , five days a week , all thanks to SId Barron's kindness.
We remained close friends and for years hung out every week at his art studio in James Bay. We talked at length about the creative process and the difficulties of working alone. Sid kept on drawing for the Toronto Star but was painting abstracts more than he was cartooning. But even the master had creative problems mainly because of the burden of the high standards he set for his work. Just look at his cartoons! He had a basic gag but each cartoon contained so much detail and content it was overwhelming him. I know how much he wanted to give it up to paint but his Editor kept on paying him more every time he announced his early retirement.
There isn't a day that I don't think about Sid when I am working in my studio. He was such a professional in his work ethic and he drilled those ideals into me. I can't sketch out a painting without hearing his words in my head about composition or quality of line.. He would always make a joke out of his criticism but the humor made it all the more biting. I can't think of a kinder more creative soul than he. He gave everyone so much of himself and I am afraid he we didn't know what to give him in return. I can say this, what ever success I have enjoyed in my artistic career, I owe it all to Sid Barron. He was simply the very best..
Jacob&John Dundas
May 3, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Donna Dundas
May 3, 2006
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
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