Willard Kinzie served as Barrie’s mayor from 1957 to 1961. As a businessman, in 1947, Willard moved to Barrie and purchased Lakeview Dairy on Dunlop Street East of which he continued to run until 1975. During this time, Willard had a successful milk delivery business earning him the nickname ‘The Milk Man’. Willard died in 2018 at 99 years of age.

Willard was passionate about trails and the waterfront. Willard envisioned a trail around Barrie’s waterfront where residents could learn about Barrie’s history while enjoying fresh air on a self-guided interpretive experience. Willard’s vision came to fruition in 2016 with the opening of the Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail, spanning 6+ kilometres along Barrie’s wonderful waterfront with eleven interpretive stations.

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Upon learning of Willard’s death, Jeff Lehman, Barrie’s Mayor at the time, spoke highly of Willard.

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“Barrie has lost one of its greatest leaders and one of its greatest champions”.

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“It is not an exaggeration to call Willard Kinzie the father of our waterfront. He saw the possibility to create a park and beach, a place for all the people of Barrie.”

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“This legacy not only delights us, it defines us. That the first thing about Barrie that most of us mention is our waterfront is due to Willard.”

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Thank you Willard for your leadership and vision.

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