After a courageous battle with cancer, longtime friend and PDB contributor John Barr passed away on December 29, 2013. John's "go fast" attitude that allowed him to approach all types of challenges and obstacles in life head on with no fear, gave us all hope he would be able to prevail and beat this disease. Similar to the way John had done so many times in every type of race imaginable, we simply didn't think our friend could ever lose.
John was a regular contributor to our magazine as well as a credible resource at our annual PDBShootout Boat Tests from 1997 until he retired from boat testing and marine journalism in 2008 to focus on being a grandfather with his wife Carey.
A native to Scotland, John also lived in Canada, Egypt as well as the United States and as an avid boater he sailed or boated in three oceans and on three continents while owning at least a dozen boats during his lifetime.
His passion for life, his ability to own a room with his jokes, as well as his genuine desire to make those around him better are just a few reasons why we're going to miss our friend. Rest in peace John, we're all better people because of you.
