Homar Robert Barlow, KC "Bob"

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Homar Robert Barlow announce the passing of “Bob” on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Mariposa House Hospice (Orillia), where he was surrounded by his immediate family. Bob is survived by wife Jane; son Ray (Celine), daughter Leanne (Jeff), step-son Jeremy (Katia); grandchildren Bryce, Andrea, Caitlin, Hayley, Xavier, and Julian; sister Elayne Cole (predeceased by Jim) and uncle to Andrew and Daniel Cole.

Bob was raised in the Swansea area of Toronto and proudly attended the Swansea public schools. He then went on to the University of Toronto where he graduated in 1962 with a general BA; however, his interest to help others continued his educational journey, where he went on to attend Osgoode Hall Law School, graduating with his LLB in 1965. In 1967 he was called to the bar. In 1979 Bob was recognized for his legal contribution by being offered the Queen’s Counsel (QC) designation, which is now KC (King’s Counsel). By 1998 he was appointed as a Deputy Judge in Small Claims Court for the Central West Region in Ontario and worked in this role until his retirement in 2015. During this time Bob was also awarded his Juris Doctor of Law from York University in 2010.

He took great pride in his career working in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, estates and wills, and civil litigation where he appeared before the Trial and Appellate Division of the Superior Court of Justice, Worker Compensation Board, Assessment Review Court and various Land Division Committees throughout the province of Ontario. His investment and dedication to the law is a key part of his DNA and will be missed from all those he mentored over the years.

Immediately after graduation Bob began work at Kennedy & Kennedy (1967-69) in downtown Toronto. Shortly after he opened a practice on Bay Street with friends Iliff Peck and John O’Donoghue under the firm name Barlow, Peck & O’Donoghue (1969-1983). After years of commuting to Toronto from Mississauga he decided to open his own practice in 1983 and then in 1999 he moved his practice to Orillia.

Bob has also found time to contribute to the community working as the Chairman and Director for Delcrest Children’s Centre (1974-77), Chairman on the ticket committee for Mississauga Mayor’s Gala (1993-1996) and acting as legal counsel for the gala committee (1997). In addition, he took on many roles within the Peel Law Society as the President and other roles (1986-1992). He also taught Estate Planning at the Law Society of Upper Canada (1993-1998). Then as he moved to living full time in Orillia, he embraced volunteer work on the Oro-Medonte Planning Advisory Committee and OMEGA Committee, while also being the President of the local cottager association and acting as Chairman of a Compliance Audit Committee for the townships of Oro-Medonte and Springwater. He ended his extensive service as a Director of Spencer House in Orillia.

Beyond work, Bob also enjoyed travel, athletics and every day had to read the paper to stay abreast of all the happenings in the world. His adventures and lively discussion will be missed by family and friends.

A funeral viewing will be held at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West Street North, Orillia, ON L3V 5C1, on Wednesday September 10 from 3-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held in Mundell’s Chapel the following day Thursday September 11th from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. with a reception to follow. On Friday, Bob will be taken to his final resting place, beside his parents Homar and Blanche Barlow, in the family plot in Park Lawn Cemetery (section K w 1/2 203) at 11 a.m. in Toronto. For those unable to attend in-person please join the Thursday service at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=5cb9296d-b172-4ed4-9188-55d6657ef030

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you would like to honour Bob’s memory to please provide a donation to Mariposa House Hospice, or Spencer House in Orillia, ON, or to a charity of your choosing.