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BARNEY LAMM Barney Lamm, a native of Moorhead, MN and pioneer entrepreneur in the Canadian tourist and aviation industry, died Saturday, July 6, 2002 in Cincinnati, OH at the age of 82. Barney built and for 25 years operated Barneys Ball Lake Lodge, a premiere fly-in hunting and fishing resort in northern Ontario. In 1946 Barney married Marion Peterson of Fargo and, leaving behind a successful flying school, the newlyweds headed north to Canada in a two seater Piper float plane. On the shores of Ball Lake, the Lamms enlisted the help of the Ojibwe men from the nearby Grassy Narrows and Whitedog reservations to begin construction of the luxury wilderness resort that would become the center of their life together. Over the years, Barney and Marion had a hand in developing and operating a network of fishing resorts and charter airlines throughout the Canadian wilderness. It is a testament to Barneys remarkable business integrity and generosity of spirit that he counted loyal friends amongst every facet of the tourist industry, from pilots and politicians, to native guides and celebrity sportsmen. Barneys strength as a businessman of principle was tested in 1970 when an environmental situation precipitated the closure of Ball Lake Lodge due to dangerous levels of methyl mercury in the water system. The Lamms refocused their energy on seeking accountability and compensation for the camp owners and native peoples whose lives had been affected, even as Barney began restructuring and expanding his aviation business throughout the Canadian north country. For the next 25 years, Barney was a central figure in Canadian aviation and Ontario Central Airlines, which was headquartered in Gimli, MB helped to open up the wilderness to other professional and charitable endeavors. The real measure of a persons life is not in the accomplishments of an extraordinary career, but in the loyalty of his friends, the love of his family and the legacy of integrity and generosity that he leaves behind. For all of his professional success, Barney will be remembered most for his love of the Canadian north, his enthusiasm for flying, his unfailing generosity toward anyone in need and his unremittingly loyalty to all who worked with him. Everyone who knew Barney can tell a story of some kindness given freely and without recompense, simply because Barneys heart was as open and unbounded as the wilderness country he loved. When all else had been weighed, it was Barneys integrity, humour, loyalty and generosity that drew people to him with love and admiration. Barney is survived by his four daughters, Rochelle, Cherie, Laurie and Elyse; his three sons-in-law, Mark, Kim and Joe; and his nine grandchildren, David-Andrew, Sierra, Michael, Sara Kate, Megan, Adam, Haleigh, Daniel and Hannah. He was preceeded in death by his wife Marion and his daughters, Mary Denise and Maria. Visitation services will be held on Friday, July 12 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND. The family welcomes visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The funeral mass will take place at 3:00 p.m., Friday, July 12 at Church of the Nativity, Fargo, followed immediately by interment at St. Josephs Cemetery in Moorhead, MN. Following the burial, a reception honouring the life of this great man will be held at the Radisson hotel in Fargo. For further information, please contact Boulger Funeral Home.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2002
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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My condolences to the “girls” on the loss of their dad. I remember a man who had a sense of humour, respected his church & faith, liked to tease good-naturedly and took an interest in employees and guests, and found time to check on his girls. When I was working in a university during the 70’s I was proud to see him in a film on “Minamata disease” toured by film-makers from Japan, showing the dreadful effects of mercury poisoning. Barney was proactive in trying to get the mercury cleaned up and the peoples’ lives And livelihoods compensated by governments and polluters. A life lived well. RIP - Posted by: Pat McCormick Stewart (Lame girl’s caregiver in summers ‘58 & ‘59) on: Nov 17, 2021
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Sorry to hear. A great man!!! - Posted by: Steve Snyder (A fan) on: Jun 05, 2019
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Barney was a super guy and I enjoyed flying for his company from 1965 through 1969. Barney and Marion also owned "Barneys Ball Lake lodge" and it was the best of the best fishing lodges in Ontario, Canada. He was one of a kind and I learned a lot about the aviation business by listening to his very interesting stories and tips about flying. Barney was a great pilot, a special friend and we kept in touch until he moved to Ohio. I miss those good ol days for sure. Neil Walsten - Posted by: Neil Walsten (Pilot for Ontario Central Airlines) on: Jan 16, 2017
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My father, Hilding Johnson, passed away in 1976 but always had pictures on the wall from fishing trips at Barney Lamm's Ball Lake Lodge. We never got tired of seeing the movies taken during those wonderful trips. That was the greatest generation of men and women. I just wanted Barney's family to know that my family admired and respected him. - Posted by: Morrie Johnson (Son of a friend and fellow outdoorsman, Hilding Johnson.) on: Nov 05, 2015
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I worked at Barney's Ball Lake Lodge for about three summers during the mid to late 60's as a fishing guide. I remember going there in early spring to start cleaning up the camp and making sure that everything was in tip top shape for the fishing season. There were many employees there besides fishing guides. Cooks,cook helpers, maids, kitchen servers, maintenance workers, pilots and office personnel. Guides came from such places as Grassy Narrows, Kenora, St.Ambroise, Man. St. Laurent and many other places. Last names such as Swain, Loon, Kabistra, unsure of the spelling of this name, but a fellow by this name used to paint on our Rapala knife sheaths our name or Barney's Ball lake lodge, Lavallee's, Flamand's, Lamirande's and others. One commenter on here I remember being there in 1968 was Killian Cheung. Barney and his wonderful wife Marion were always present, making sure the camp was well run and kept up to a high standard, for both the guests and staff. I truly enjoyed my time at Ball Lake and love to hear stories and view pics of this incredible place. I haven't been in that area for quite some time, but sure would like to see it one more time. - Posted by: John Lavallee (Guide) on: Jun 13, 2015
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My father and his fishing buddies spent many weeks over many years at the Lodge until the Mercury problem arose. I unfortunately was too young and missed going on these trips. My father was an avid fisherman who passed away 18 years ago. He instilled the love of fishing into me and I have instilled it into my children. I was reviewing some old slides he had and came upon the ones dealing with trips to Ball Lake. What a wonderful place it must have been and what a nice character Barney was. I heard nothing but wonderful stories of the trips to Barney's. - Posted by: Randy Schaffer (Son of a fisherman who enjoyed years of fishing at Barney's Ball Lake Lodge) on: Mar 26, 2015
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My dad took my brother and me fishing at Ball Lake Lodge in late summer (August/September) of 1955 or '56 (I know I was eight years old). My memories are of the float plane flight in from Kenora, Buying toys in Canada where the U. S. dollar was worth slightly more than the Canadian dollar, the fishing, shore lunches of fresh-caught, pan-fried Walleye (which the guide had filleted, dredged in beaten eggs, and coated with crushed Kellogg's Corn Flakes), burlap sacks full of iced pop and beer in the boat, the sauna before dinner, watching the northern lights after dinner, local native children (nine and ten years old) smoking cigarettes, and, of course, affable and kind Barney Lamm. The whole experience of being there was both exciting and, at times, slightly surreal. I wish I could still get a Barney's Ball Lake Lodge shirt like the one I had back then. Thanks, Barney! - Posted by: Kevin O'Hornett (Guest at Ball Lake Lodge) on: Apr 01, 2014
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I worked at the Barney's Ball Lake Lodge briefly in the summer while I was an undergraduate student at The University of Manitoba in 1968. I respect Barney and Marion a lot. I still have a very fond memory of the lodge. In fact, I get to enjoy the sport of fishing all my life. Thank you for the memory. I am very sorry that I just learned about Barney,s death now. 06.13. - Posted by: Kilian Cheung (Employee, briefly summer of 1968.) on: Jun 20, 2013
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Just made a trip to his resort, crumbling and falling apart. Wish I could've seen it back in the day. It looks amazing from a distance, and the old pictures very cool. Sad story sounds like a great man. - Posted by: Philip Keller (none) on: Jun 22, 2012
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I often think of the family back in Gimli. Marion would come into our store every day. Barney well a class act. I have told many fond stories of them.The world is not the same now that they are gone. Take Care Rick Smith shawnskey_1@telus.net Westbank BC - Posted by: Rick Smith (Friend) on: Jul 27, 2005
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Often think of your family back in Gimli.Marion would come into our store every day.BARNEY a class act.To make this short the world will not be the same without them. Take Care Rick Smith shawnskey_1@telus.net Westbank BC - Posted by: Rick Smith (Friend) on: Jul 27, 2005