In Loving Memory of
Vernon Harvey Barge
a.k.a. Large Barge
Born: January 26, 1933
Passed away: March 19, 2004
With profound sadness we mourn the passing of Vernon Harvey Barge, beloved husband, father, son and brother, musician and friend.
Verne was borne in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan to Frederick Harvey and Vernie Marion Barge, the oldest son of five children. He spent his early years in Trail and Kaslo where he learned to play the fiddle and started his career with the BC Forest Service. During his career he was posted in Ootsa Lake, Southbank, Burns Lake, Telkwa, Atlin, Queen Charlotte City, Lower Post, Blue River, Penticton, Dease Lake and Smithers until he retired in 1988.
From the age 10 years, Verne played dances with many musician friends all over BC, Alberta and the Yukon, entertaining those of all ages with his fiddle playing. Verne was well known in the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District communities for his many years on BVLD Radio as the DJ for the “Large Barge Saturday Afternoon Jamboree.”
After his retirement Verne kept busy by teaching forestry courses throughout northern BC. After learning about his Matis ancestry he became active in the Tri Valley Metis Association in Valemount, where he was instrumental in forming the Metis Youth Jiggers Club. After the years he spent in Valemount, Verne returned to Smithers where he was one of the driving forces in forming the Tri River Metis Association that serves the Metis community in the Hazelton, Granisle, Smithers, Telkwa and Houston areas.
Verne is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his children, Terri (Mark), Wendy (Kaiz), Dale (Karen), Debbie (Alan), Cathy (Ken) and their mother, Marge; his mother, Vernie; his brothers and sister, Myron (Lynne), Ron (Shirley), Sandra (Gary), Gordon (Jodi); and grandchildren, Vicki, Erica, Keri, Colin, David, CJ, Taylor, Jordan, Jesse; great-grandchild Brady; and last but not least his beloved canine friend Hogan Dawg.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Verne’s last passion, the Tri River Metis Association at Box 4648, Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0.