Paris Marine Ltd.

In 1945, John (Jack) W. Paris, the founder of Paris Marine, was a Ford mechanic in Weston Ontario. Tired of that type of work, he moved to Peterborough to become a debit collector for London Life Insurance Company. In 1946 he started Jack Paris Marine and Real Estate, located in Young's Point Ontario. He moved to the dealership's current location in 1958, building a modest home and showroom on 2 acres of property. He sold wooden boats made by Chestnut Canoe Company from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and Sea Skiff boats made in Pennsylvania. He was also a Johnson Outboard dealer. Bill Paris was 11 years old at that time, and rebuilt his first motor: a 25 hp Gale Buccaneer that had sunk on Chandos Lake. Bill worked with his father rigging the wooden boats with Johnson motors while he attended school. Bill met his love of a lifetime, Janice Barringer, when they were both 18 years old. Jack decided to sell the business in 1973 to a qualified buyer from Toronto, but at the last minute the buyer reneged. Jack and Bill struck a deal, and along with Jan, they turned the small business into a large, well-known, well-respected, quality operation employing 26 people in season. Bill and Jan have three children, all girls. Tracey, the oldest, worked with her parents while attending school until her graduation from the University of Western Ontario. She joined Bell Canada where she currently holds a management position. Bill and Jan's other two daughters were twins, Juliana and Deborah. Julie graduated from Queens University and went on to complete Dental School and is currently practicing Dentistry in Toronto. Deborah, a Western Graduate, worked through school at the dealership and is now the third generation owner of Paris Marine.