Lloyd Arthur was born on March 9, 1940 in Owen Sound to parents David “Arthur” and Mabel Grace (Aiken) Barclay. The Barclay family resided a mile and a half west of Allenford on Hwy. 21. As an only child, Lloyd soon found a special bond with his cousin, Earl Barclay, who was nine years older. To be honest, they were more like brothers, than cousins.
Lloyd attended public school in Allenford. He spent many years in the same building… as the downstairs of the schoolhouse was for the elementary classes and high school was upstairs. While visiting his grandmother in Tara in 1954, Lloyd spied an eye-catching young woman by the name of Evelyn “June” Chambers. They dated for a few years and were then married on Saturday, November 29, 1958 at the Tara United Church manse. The marriage took place at 6 p.m. and it was a terrible stormy evening. The gas lines froze in the car on the way to their hotel. Luckily, someone picked them up and got them safely to Port Elgin. Due to the weather, their reception was postponed until Sunday and was held at the Walker House in Southampton.
Once married, June and Lloyd spent the first few years living in Owen Sound. It was during their time here that they welcomed their daughter, Debbie, on July 8, 1959. In 1967 the Barclay family purchased a new home in Tara, on Francis Street.
Following school, Lloyd began working at Kornblum’s Men’s Clothing in Owen Sound store for four years before becoming a door to door salesman for Fuller Brush. After a year of that, he moved on to selling Canadian Cookware, on referrals, and spent two years with them. By this time Lloyd realized he had found his true calling… sales. Some might say that Lloyd could sell ice to an Eskimo! Lloyd then took a job with Crest Hardware, whereby he travelled the province for the next nine years. James Wright out of London was his next stop, selling industrial hardware to farmers for a few years.
In 1978, Lloyd ran into Reg Armstrong, owner of Armstrong Chemicals. Reg was looking to move on from the business and offered Lloyd his inventory and his customer list. Lloyd took him up on the offer and this lead to the establishment of L. A. Barclay Wholesale Ltd. In its prime, the business had locations in Owen Sound and Tara. Lloyd often joked that he loved what he was doing. This personal drive allowed him to excel in the sales and allowed his business to thrive for the next twenty years. In 1997, Lloyd made the difficult decision to sell the business and retire. The foundation was set, with Bruce Funston taking over the operation. Lloyd’s hard work remains visible today as Barclay Wholesale is now in its 42nd year of operations.
When not working, Lloyd loved to spend time at the family cottage on Isthmus Bay Rd. on the outskirts of Lion’s Head, overlooking beautiful Georgian Bay. June and Lloyd bought the property in the early 80’s where they made countless memories with family and friends. In 1999, they sold the cottage to spend more time in their new home on Mill Street in Tara. Lloyd enjoyed the Sauble River flowing through their property, watching the many birds and also the variety of wildlife.
They both enjoyed travelling. In their younger days, they enjoyed exploring our beautiful country in their motor home. Later on, they purchased a fifth wheel whereby they drove to the west coast of B.C., with a caravan of 5 trailers, They also experienced travelling to Texas and Mexico with John and Ruth Smith. There was also a beautiful boat cruise down the Rhine River with the Murrays. This 16 day adventure began in Budapest and ended in Holland. In 2018 they explored Newfoundland. This was in addition to all the time they spent in Florida. Their first trip to the sunshine state was in 1970. Over the years, they spent many winter months calling the communities of Lakeland and Lady Lake home. Their last trip was in 2011.
Lloyd loved to volunteer his time with a variety of organizations. He was a member of the Public Utility Commission in Tara for many years. In addition, he spent fifteen years assisting the Owen Sound Hospital in Ambulatory Care. Lloyd was also a Big Brother, mentoring Glenn for a few years. He was a member of various church committees at Tara United over the years, was an executive member of the Tara Curling Club and regularly gave of his time at the Tara Food Bank.
In their retirement, Lloyd and June enjoyed attending craft shows across Grey Bruce, where they would operate a table together. Lloyd sold personalized golf markers and June specialized in crystal glass nail files. The couple also enjoyed golfing together, playing many rounds at Chesley Lake and Chippewa over the years as well as countless games in Florida.
Throughout the years the Barclays loved and cared for several four-legged friends. To be honest they were a true extension of their family. Their beloved K9 friends included Cuddles a Pomeranian, Megan a Silky Terrier, Cody a Yorkshire Terrier and their current companion, Emma a Yorkiepoo.
Lloyd loved to dance. In their younger years, he and June would frequent dances at Bailey’s Hall in Tara and the Port Elgin Legion. In later years, Lloyd and June tripped the light fantastics in Lakeland and Lady Lake at every opportunity. When it came to the seasons, he enjoyed the spring and fall. Like many of us from Bruce County his meal of choice was a home cooked roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. He was known to read the Owen Sound Sun Times daily from cover to cover. When it came to TV, Lloyd was usually tuned into Dr. Phil or a good curling game.
Lloyd, like all of us, faced a number of challenges throughout his life. He was most proud of his sobriety and was an active member of A.A. His last drink was April 10, 2002. He was supported by, and in turn supported, a number of other individuals in the area that suffered a similar fate. In the years that followed Lloyd also dealt with depression. Once again, he took the lead in this fight and attended many programs put on by the Changeway Group. He worked tirelessly to continue to better himself as a husband, father and man.
When looking for words to best describe Lloyd one might use the words, kind, generous, caring, and supportive. He was fiercely independent, a little strong-willed, enjoyed story-telling and had a dry sense of humour. These characteristics, the stories and memories he left all of us will allow Lloyd to live on in all of us for many years to come.
Lloyd and June downsized to their current home on Chestnut Hill Crescent in 2017. A year later Lloyd suffered a severe Stroke whereby everyday life as he knew it would forever change. After months of rehabilitation, he enjoyed a relatively good quality of life. In the last couple of months his health began to deteriorate and as a result of his fall Monday night Lloyd suffered a broken hip. In his weakened state, Lloyd’s body could not handle the stress. Just earlier that Monday, he had enjoyed doing his VON exercises, playing a game of crib and sharing an ice cream treat with his lifelong partner. Lloyd passed away suddenly, in the early morning of Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the age of 79.
Beloved husband of June (Chambers). Devoted and loving father of Debbie Barclay and her partner Carol Walko of Tara. Cherished grandfather of Anisha Oliver and great-grandfather of Charlotte and Emmett. He will be dearly missed by his cousin Ray Barclay, and the late Earl Barclay’s children, Rhonda and Brian and families, as well as Lloyd’s extended families the Kirklands, Whites and Huys, and also many close friends. Lloyd was predeceased by his parents David “Arthur” and Mabel Grace (Aiken) Barclay.
A memorial service celebrating Lloyd’s life will be held at Tara United Church on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 3 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Spring inurnment in Hillcrest Cemetery, Tara.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Tara United Church or Owen Sound Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
