100 Years as a Family Farm

Joseph Maszk (1849-1927), immigrated to Canada from Poland in the 1870s. Joseph and Elizabeth Bembanek (wife) had several children of which one was Paul Bronus Mask, 1885-1964 (inset). Paul married Maryann Biernacki (1890-1979) and had 9 children (Evelyn, Florence, Theresa, Raymond Sr., Leona (Dolly), Clementine, Elmer, Sylvia and Donald).

On November 24, 1917 Paul purchased Welchman's Island (now known as Mask Island) in Barry's Bay, Ontario. He farmed the land with his children for 47 years. His son Raymond Sylvester Mask Sr. with wife - Marilyn Eleanor Bonney inherited the farm and operated it for 34 years. Raymond had 9 children - Susan, Bonnie, Patsy, Jimmy, Rachel, Peter, Raymond Jr., Paul and Michael.

Raymond Jr., affectionately known as "Teacup," led the farm after his father, Raymond Sr., passed away in 1998 until his own passing in 2023. Scott and Derek, his sons, now carry forward the legacy, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the farm alongside their extended family.