BARTER, JOHN M. - The death of John M. Barter of 656 Brunswick Drive, husband of Shirley (Smith Barter), occurred unexpectedly at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Tuesday, March 11, 2003. Mr. Barter was born in St. Stephen, a son of the late Basil and Mary Agnes (Ross) Barter. He had been employed with T. S. Simms until his retirement a number of years ago. He was a Past-President of Saint John Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. He had been a member of A.A. for over 35 years. He was the first deaf person to play professional football and had been a baseball umpire. He was a former member of the Carleton Curling Club. Besides his wife, he is survived by seven daughters, Sheila, Mrs. Paul Hebert of Rothesay, Janet, Mrs. Doug Bourque of Gray, Me., Thora, Mrs. Ivan Despres of Saint John, Shirley, Mrs. Steve Millson of Niagara Falls, Ont., Donna, Mrs. Fred Moffatt of Saint John, Elsie, Mrs. Donald Tompkins of Saint John, and Miss Gracie Barter of Saint John; one brother, Kenneth Barter (Margaret) of Edmonton; one sister, Mary Agnes, Mrs. Darrell Goulden of Alyesford, N.S.; 16 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., where service will be conducted by Rev. Hubert Bartlett on Friday morning at eleven o'clock. Interment will take place in Ocean View Memorial Gardens. Visiting on Wednesday from 7 to 9 and on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. In lieu of flowers, donations to Saint John Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services or the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. www.fitzpatrickfh.com