SYLVESTER 'DOC' YANTHA
During visits to the emergency department, Cathy and her husband Doc Yantha would often linger at the hospital’s tribute murals, reading the names and recalling people whose lives had touched theirs.
“We always found it interesting,” she said.
The newest In Memory Mural continues the tradition in a meaningful way. It quietly tells the stories of people who have touched the community. But it does more than preserve memories: through the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation, donations made in memory of loved ones can be put toward the purchase of a mural element, helping fund medical equipment used every day at the hospital. In this way, each tribute continues to make a difference for patients and families in the community.
When Doc passed away in March 2025 at the age of 79, those familiar walls became a natural place for remembrance. Cathy and her family chose to add a duck element to the In Memory Mural, with the support of donations made in Doc’s name to the St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation. The element now sits among many others on the wall, honoring a man well known across the Ottawa Valley.
Seeing Doc’s duck in place brings a mix of emotions.
“Sadness,” Cathy said. “But also memories.”
Doc was one of three brothers who owned and operated Barry’s Bay Dairy, delivering dairy products and ice to stores across the region for decades. Known for his strong work ethic, generosity, and easy rapport with customers, he built long-standing relationships with local store owners and became a familiar face throughout Renfrew County. That dedication to hard work has been passed down to his children, leaving a legacy his family continues to carry forward.
But the tribute on the mural is about more than remembering Doc’s life. For Cathy, it is also about giving back to the hospital that serves the community. Donations like those made in Doc’s name help fund the purchase of medical equipment, allowing the memory of a loved one to continue making a difference for others.
Cathy also appreciates that the mural naturally becomes a place where stories are shared.
“It’s almost like a little memorial,” she said. “People come in while they’re waiting, and they stand there and read all the names. They remember them and share stories.”
The Yantha family chose the duck element partly because it stands out among the mural’s designs and for its symbolism.
“He’s leading the flock,” Cathy said with a smile.
Now, the duck serves as a lasting tribute to a man remembered by many, and as part of a mural that continues to honour lives while helping support patient care at St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
