by Sylene Argent
Photo submitted
A longstanding tradition of recognition – stemming back to 1978 – continued on Saturday evening, when Dr. Richard Barnett was honoured as the 2023 Essex Citizen of the Year for his many years of dedication “behind the scenes.”
Many attended a banquet held in his honour at the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201), all taking time to thank him for his years of dedication to the community, others taking advantage of the opportunity to recall and retell funny memories with Dr. Barnett.
The Essex Citizen of the Year is selected by a committee comprised of representatives of its partnering organizations – the Essex Knights of Columbus (3305), the Rotary Club of Essex, the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201), and Heritage Essex – to celebrate the efforts of a local individual who has significantly contributed to the community.
It is an annual fundraiser for Heritage Essex, which maintains the historic Essex Railway Station; a place near and dear to Dr. Barnett’s heart.
In the past, Dr. Barnett has sat on the Board for Heritage Essex. He said when he was asked to do so, he was enthusiastic to get involved. It was a way to follow in the footsteps of his mother, who was a proud supporter of the Railway Station and its restoration. That project, many years ago, remodeled it to how it looked 1907, before the Railway explosion of that year.
He previously spoke of how the late Bill Gay, a former dedicated employee of Heritage Essex, would drop hints about what the historic railway station needed, and he would try to find a way to help.
One of the many community projects he undertook was getting involved with the restoration of the 135-year-old railroad baggage cart that is housed at the Essex Railway Station.
As a lover of history, he was glad to take on the project.
In addition, he was responsible for the restoration of the WWII cannon that sits in front of the Essex Municipal Building. The project had its wheels refurbished and had it painted back to its original colour.
His parents were an inspiration to him, as they were both active in the community. Dr. Barnett’s father served in WWII on active service for four-and-a-half-years. Recently, he travelled to France for one of the dedications of Essex residents who served in the war.
Dr. Brown, Dr. McKelvie, and Dr. Clare were also inspirations to him. They recruited him to join the Rotary Club of Essex in 1996.
On the Essex Rotary, he served as President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and as part of various committees for over 20-years. Throughout those years, he supported many local and international projects.
Dr. Barnett was the Rotarian most responsible for the completion of the Rotary Mural in 2005, which for many years was located on Centre Street. It will soon be relocated to the Schinkel’s Meat Market wall.
For many years, he represented the Rotary Club of Essex on the Citizen of the Year Committee, so when he was invited to the Essex Fun Fest Saturday evening entertainment back in July – a day reserved to announce the winner – he was suspicious of the reasoning. Still, he called being selected by the Citizen of the Year Committee, after being nominated from within the community – a real honour.
Dr. Barnett has been a local veterinarian since the 1970s. Those who spoke on his behalf at the banquet – including Mark Stannard and Dr. Paul Branton – noted he regarded his clients as friends.
Stannard said he has known Dr. Barnett for 40-years. He was his veterinarian for his family dairy farm.
Dr. Barnett always began his visits with a joke, Stannard said. Even after he retired from the large animal practice, Dr. Barnett agreed to visit a pony gifted to the family as it was quite sick. That was something he will never forget, as he ensured the pony’s wellbeing was looked after.
Stannard said he heard similar stories from others, about Dr. Barnett, calling him a friend. “He played a very important role in a lot of farms. This is a great show of support to someone so important to our operations.”
Dr. Branton recalled meeting Dr. Barnett during his third year of vet school through a mentorship program.
Right away, he said Dr. Barnett “took him in like family.”
He spoke about learning a lot from Dr. Barnett and quickly learned his clients were not just clients, they were like family, too. He spoke of how his mentor went out of his way to help those in need of veterinary care, but may have been in a financial pinch.
Dr. Branton also saw Dr. Barnett’s community connections in his friendship with WWII Spitfire Pilot Jerry Billing, with the two sharing their love of flying.
“You set an example to follow,” he told his former mentor.
He joked, however, Dr. Barnett must have the record for the oldest phone message.
Dr. Barnett also served as the President of the Essex-Kent Veterinary Association and as Treasurer for the Ontario Association of Swine Practitioners.
Due to his involvement, he was twice named Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Essex and last year earned the OVCAA Alumni Volunteer Award.
Rotarian Neal McBeth spoke about the impact Dr. Barnett had on the Rotary Club of Essex as a behind the scenes volunteer, noting he and the late Frank Mazzara were like comedy duo Abbott and Costello at functions.
“They kept everyone entertained.”
Dr. Barnett, McBeth noted, is a talented artist and often drew caricatures of Rotary presidents, some of which were displayed during the banquet.
Essex MPP Anthony Leardi presented Dr. Barnett with a certificate of recognition for helping to build a better and more vibrant community, as did Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy and Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley.
On behalf of Essex Council Bondy thanked Dr. Barnett for his unwavering commitment to the community.
“We truly appreciate everything you have done to make the Town of Essex a better place,” she said.
Representing Heritage Essex, Morely Bowman said it was great to recognize an individual who has been a pillar within the community for so long. “To be able to call him a friend is really special.”
Tom Bonneau emceed the banquet, and also thanked Dr. Barnett for his volunteerism on behalf of the Knights of Columbus.
In addition, Tony Malkowski of Heritage Essex also acknowledged Dr. Barnett for his years of volunteerism, noting he embodies the motto of “how can I help?”
“I have been blessed in so many ways,” Dr. Barnett said. “Looking around this room, it is like a panoramic view of my life.”
He spoke of attending a one-room schoolhouse, which was next door to his family farm, and how he enjoyed listening to the lessons meant for the older kids. His parents, he added, gave home the best childhood.
“It was a great time to grow up,” he said.