November 2, 2021

FIRST RESPONDERS ARE HONOURED AS ROTARY RETURNS TO INDOOR MEETINGS

GRAVENHURST — There was a lot of applause and back-slapping as Rotarians honoured four first responders yesterday in an annual salute in their first indoor meeting in 18 months.

But it was a simple hand shake among two medical professionals with a century of service above self that caught my eye Monday at the Marriott Hotel.

One was a paramedic, the other a doctor.

Both retired and both each with 50 years of service to this community.

After Jerry Barnes was honoured for his half a century as a Muskoka paramedic, he turned and shook the hand of Jim Goodwin who was being recognized for his 50 years as Gravenhurst Rotary Club member.

A simple gesture of recognition and respect.

A knowing nod, a bond among two who needed no introduction in Gravenhurst.

Since 1971 if you took ill it’s possible Barnes picked you up, diagnosed you and took you to Goodwin who would sew you up or give you a prescription.

For years they would cross paths at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital while taking care of patients.

They were more than bandage one and two.

Rotary president Valerie Johnson, left, 7010 district governor Steve Meadley and assistant district governor Andrew Smellie congratulate Jim Goodwin and his wife Marlyn for his 50 years of Service Above Self.

Barnes grew up in Gravenhurst and their families were friends in town and at school. So they were often in contact professionally and socially.

Both are much older now — Goodwin 91 and Barnes 69.

They could have easily held those hands high like champions celebrating each other’s healthy accomplishments.

But as Rotarians and fellow first responders applauded their extraordinary services both remained humble about their 10 decades of dedicated care for their community.

Behind those masked smiles were friends who know the needs of their community well and who also served them well.

Muskoka Paramedic Services Chief Jeff McWilliam played a short video highlighting Barnes’ final day on the job in which his colleagues honoured the tearful paramedic before his final shift.

Including a moving final radio call by his dispatcher wife.

Three other community heroes were also saluted.

Gravenhurst Fire Department Platoon Chief Chris Allen and OPP constables Taryn Molnar and Kim Wild.

Allen was singled out — among his many accomplishments with the fire service — for responding alone to a fire he came upon while in passing while off duty in Bracebridge.

After calling 911 Allen ran to a home and pounded “very forcefully” on a door to get a family and a visitor out to safety he said, after being introduced by Fire Chief Jared Cayley.

Detachment commander Insp. Mike Burton said Molnar and Wild were honoured for their deployment and service in Gravenhurst, where they were instrumental in numerous police, drug and crime investigations while stationed here.

All the first responders received specially commemorated medallions with Rotary’s four-way test engraved on the back.

And $100 each to the charities of their choice.