Barry Abelson

Barry Abelson knows how to talk turkey. With his initial act of generosity in 2003, he laid the groundwork for the partnership between the House of Friendship’s Christmas Food Program now supported by the annual Kitchener – Conestoga Rotary Club Turkey Drive. House of Friendship Director, and nominator, John Neufeld says, “Every year, more than 5,000 households are able to celebrate a holiday meal together because of Barry.”

Born in Brooklyn, New York, with his school years spent in California, Barry was already demonstrating leadership capabilities by age 10. He and his family moved to Ontario in 1954, and since 1956 he has lived and worked in Kitchener-Waterloo where he has made a lasting mark in both his business and volunteer endeavours.

In 1964, Barry founded Abelson Siding and Windows in Waterloo and was President until his retirement from the company – now Abelson Windows & Doors – in 2009. He was the creator and founding member in 1988 of the Siding and Window Dealers Association of Canada which sets standards for the industry and served as their President and Director until 2005. During his tenure, he established the only North American Energy-Efficient Window Installation course. He also created the National Energy-Efficient Window and Energy-Efficient installation Certification Program, which has directly equated to substantial fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Barry was often the keynote speaker at industry meetings throughout North America, and wrote two books outlining protocols for industry practices.

Barry’s volunteering and philanthropy ethos was both good business and very personal. The Abelson company donated over $100,000 in materials to Habitat for Humanity, and for many years, donated the windows and doors to the K-W Rotary Club’s annual Dream Home.

Barry’s first wife, Wanda, developed Multiple Sclerosis at age 28. Barry became Founder, Director, and Vice President of the local MS Society, hosting those early chapter meetings at their home. For his devotion to volunteering with the organization, he received a Citation of Merit from the MS Society of Canada, and was made an honorary member for his fundraising efforts. He nursed Wanda until her death at age 52. Barry married Marian, and together they dote on their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Barry was president and director of Project Lift, a service for people with physical disabilities, the pre-cursor to GRT’s Mobility Plus program. He was a Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club member, and in 2012, received Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellow Award. He also served as President and Director of the local Better Business Bureau, and was one of only three made an Honorary Life-time Director. Whether a member or director, he was active in condominium corporations, cottagers’ associations, golf and racquet clubs, and international food and wine societies. In 2004 and 2006, Barry was CKCO’s “local hero”.

Barry’s most consequential contribution to the Region of Waterloo started in 2003 when he gave 100 turkeys to the House of Friendship’s Emergency Hamper program. The turkeys were gone in three days. The next year 1000 were needed. Barry rounded up friends and associates to help fund the increase, together donating 1,100 turkeys for regional families. By 2007, Barry and fellow Rotarian Jim Erb had persuaded their Rotary Club to take over. By 2022, the drive had raised over five million dollars to help address food insecurity throughout Waterloo Region.

Barry Abelson’s philanthropy, his business acumen, and his decades’ long volunteering have benefited thousands of people in this community, and he is warmly welcomed to the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.