Category Archives: Sharing

The legend of Wally

Posted on by April 16, 2015
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I met Wally the first time at a Balfour convention at Lake Magog “near Sherbrooke” Quebec in 1982. His open hearted kind of guy gave us a ride back to Ottawa to fly back home to Edmonton. We have been colleagues ever since both taking pride in being The Ringman in our territories. We meet most every year at Balfour and then Jostens convention. When you met Wally it was like yesterday his way of joy and smile and laughter. Wally was a large part of the old boys group like the Jim’s, Lennies, John’s, Bob’s, Al’s, Sean’s, Rob’s and Barry’s. He also mentored many and was a key component bring the females into to the ring sales force always helping in what ever way he could. “A coach he was at all times” then bring Cheryl into the Jostens family what a treat. Wally a person to look up to each day as we walk through our lives. The legend of Wayne “Wally” Barrow will live forever.

~Barry Properzi

Remembering Wayne

Posted on by March 24, 2015
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I was very saddened to hear about Wayne, my childhood friend and hockey teammate while growing up together in Westmount. Fond memories of Somerville Av., outdoor rinks, WHS Senior Hockey City Champs 65/66 , annual McGill high school hockey tournament. Like so many others, we lost touch after high school and during our college years, last seeing each other while he attended MacDonald College.My sincere condolences to sister Norma and the extended Barrow family. May God bless.

David Beasant

(originally posted to the guestbook at the Montreal Gazette, re-posted here with permission from David)

Remembrance

Posted on by March 23, 2015
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Jostens does something each week where a person sends out a story to all their reps on something. They take turns.  The week after Wally’s passing it was Sean’s turn where he chose to honour Wally instead of a work story.

He wrote:

Remembrance

We lost a wonderful man last week with Wally Barrow’s passing and John, Barry and I would like to use this week’s Cup O’ Joe to remember our friend.

Wally was, first and foremost, a loving husband to Cheryl and a caring father and grandfather. He was taken from them far too early and our hearts reach out to them.

Wally would be proud to say that he had a positive influence on countless people during his life. He was very generous with his time, was a great friend, an enthusiastic coach and a knowledgeable mentor. When you interacted with Wally you knew that he truly cared about you. Those of us that were lucky enough to know him benefited greatly from the experience.

Wally also touched tens of thousands people as the “Ring Man” in the Niagara region and beyond. He had a passion for his work that was contagious and so many successes we can’t begin to list them. To his long time customers he was a friend and someone they could rely on. He was a true professional in every way.

We are proud, as many of you are, to have had Wally as a friend. We will miss him greatly and cherish our memories of him. Over the holidays we will think of Wally often with a smile and a tear.

Wally Barrow