Allan Baragar

Private Citizen

Our Model Forest is very fortunate that Allan Baragar has recently joined our Board of Directors as the new representative from Black River-Matheson. Allan is retired from the position of Director of Public Works in his municipality; a job that he held for 23 years. He now has a hobby farm where he is raising limousin beef cattle. Allan has a wealth of experience and knowledge that is invaluable to an organization like ours.

Born in Bateman Saskatchewan, Allan moved back to New Liskeard, Ontario when he was only nine months. His mother was originally from the New Liskeard area.

“We had an uncle who was a doctor in Matheson in the 1930s, and my first memories of the area are when we used to come to visit him,” said Allan. “I moved permanently to the Black River - Matheson area in 1955.

Allan’s history is fascinating and full. In 1940 his father joined the Canadian army to serve in the Second World War. Allan also volunteered and tried to get assigned to the same unit; however it was discovered that he was too young, and in addition his mother was, needless to say, extremely upset, so his military career ended quite quickly. He ended up working for Abitibi for three years in the 1940’s, and for Marathon Paper for five years as a production foreman. In 1965, Allan was working in northern British Columbia on the Alaska border as maintenance foreman for Grand Duke Mining, helping to drive the longest tunnel in the world. He survived an avalanche that killed 28 men, although he did sustain some injuries. He also worked on a hydro dam project in Yellow Knife for 32 months. After he retired from public works in Black River – Matheson almost 15 years ago, he worked in Moosonee for two years, surveying the town, and helping with drainage and bridge projects. 

Allan graduated from the College of Engineering Technology in Toronto in 1968. His first wife passed-away in 1984. Combined, he and his second wife Billie have seven children – five daughters and two sons, 13 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren!

“I’ve been active with our town council for many years, and was asked if I would be interested in serving on the Board of the Lake Abitibi Model Forest,” said Allan. “I’ve been to four meetings so far, and though it was a bit confusing at first, I now have a good understanding of what is being done. It is great to see what modern technology is doing in the forest, and how good forest regeneration is still happening, where patches are left to reseed and regenerate the forest. It is all very interesting.”

Our Model Forest is indeed privileged to have Allan join our Board of Directors, and we are grateful for his time and effort, and delighted with the knowledge and experience that he is bringing to the table.