2989 Arbutus Avenue

According to the Savary Island Park plan which shows the early subdivision of DL 1373 in 1910, the two lots fronting Malaspina Promenade and two behind on Arbutus Avenue were first owned by a Mr. Thulin of Lund. 

Records show that from 1912 to 1925 these lots were owned by Harry Keefer and Emma and Ruth Roberts. Known quaintly at that time as “the Misses Roberts”, the sisters also owned the original Savary Inn with Harry Keefer.

Around 1926 the lots were purchased by Percy Barnett.

Percy had been introduced to Savary by Emily Wootten, and his first purchase was her property which she called "The Nest”, now 3152 Malaspina Promenade. He sold it in 1930 to Elmer Lee of Seattle, who was active in the management of the Powell River Company.

Percy and his wife Margaret had three children —Tom, Jocelyn and Marjorie. Around 1930, Percy hired  Ashton Spilsbury and Alan Mace to build a house on one of the back lots on Arbutus Avenue. Like many other homes built at this time, the cottage had covered decks which were often used as sleeping porches, two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living room.

In 1944, Margaret purchased a cottage farther east, now 3106 Malaspina Promenade. Their son Tom and his wife Mary summered there with their two children, Cunliffe and Patsy, until 1955 when it was sold to the Pottinger family.

Margaret and Percy's two daughters, Jocelyn and Marjorie, continued living in the Arbutus Avenue home. Later in life, Marjorie married Jack Hartree, who had two sons, John and Drew, who also spent summers at Savary.  Marjorie Hartree inherited the property on Percy's death and both sisters continued to spend time on the island. 

Cottage in the early days with the open porch and the recently cut cedar trees

About 1979 Daniel McIntyre and his wife Nancy Lee (nee Harkness) purchased the property from Marjorie's estate. It originally included lots behind the Robertsons and Turnbulls which were subsequently sold to these families. 

When the McIntyres bought the property the house was very dark, as cedar branches had grown into the porch and almost through the doorways. Peter and Angelica Saunders were renting the house at that time. 

Over the years Gordie Coles did much work on the house, taking care to preserve its character. A portion of the porch was enclosed to add a dining room, and a bathroom and master suite was built to one side. To make more room for the growing family, a sleeping cottage was added beside the house. The original Bloomfield fireplace is still a special working feature of the cozy living room. Nancy Lee has worked tirelessly on a deer-resistant garden. 

The McIntyres have three children — Daniel Jr., Jamie and Christine. They, with their extended families, continue to spend summers at Savary.  

 Cottage showing the partially enclosed porch and the addition to the left