Help Grand Island Bar-B-Q’s Legacy & Justice For David Rowe

Most of You Know David Rowe. Most of You Know the Grand Island Bar-B-Q in Dunnville.

Help Us Make Whole a Cherished Legacy and Support David Rowe in His Legal Fight for Justice.

Hello, my name is Margaret Rose, and I'm reaching out on behalf of my dear friend David Rowe. Many of you remember the Grand Island Bar-B-Q—my late husband and I visited, and ate there often. David well supported our soccer club. The “Bar-B-Q" was a special place and a beloved local landmark that was the heart of Dunnville for nearly 60 years. It wasn't just a place to grab a bite; it was where our community came alive. Families gathered for delicious burgers, fries, and shakes or to row a boat down the creek or canoed through the marshes. Kids played “loonie putt” mini golf and devoured their favourite ice cream and we can’t forget the kids fishing derby’s where thousands filled the island to win hundreds of prizes. Friendships blossomed, romances ignited, hundreds employed, cars cruised the nights and memories were made that have lasted a lifetime.

So many of us have fond recollections:

"We loved going here as kids."

"It was the best place—full of amazing memories and great times."

“Great memories as a teen”

What Happened?

However, in 2004, after the passing of his father, “Jim” and facing his mother's “Bobbie” illness, David alone with the pressures of a tiring business, made the difficult decision to sell the family business and property—a 115-acre island and wetlands that his family had farmed & cherished since 1881.

He believed his property rights were secure, never imagining that unresolved land disputes 30 miles away in Caledonia would affect him. But unexpectedly, these disputes halted a sale, leaving David powerless despite his legal ownership. After multiple attempts the governments he trusted offered no assistance. Ultimately, the property was taken, unjustly, and David was left in financial ruin. The stress and heartbreak took a severe toll on his health, leading to 3 life-altering heart attacks.

Why Does David Need Our Help Now?

For nearly 20 years, David has been seeking justice, finding no support from government agencies or politicians to defend his family’s land—dismissing legal ownership of 130 years. His complex case, involving native land disputes, has made it difficult to find legal representation. While he deeply respects the importance of Indigenous claims, their impact on his personal situation has left him fighting to restore his family’s legacy and secure justice.

Now that his immediate family has passed, David must fight on but with renewed health, determination, and a law firm willing to take on his case but David faces significant legal costs and urgently needs our support. Together, we can help him close this tragic chapter, restore his family’s legacy, and achieve the justice he has tirelessly pursued.

Where Your Support Comes In: To continue David’s fight he urgently needs to raise $100,000.00 to cover the legal costs and expenses required to defend his family’s legacy and to right a tragic wrong

Every donation you make will directly fund:

Securing Skilled Legal Representation: Ensuring that David gets the legal expertise needed to navigate the complexities of this case, especially the sensitive Indigenous land claims involved.

Covering Court Costs and Expert Fees: Engaging experts who can provide crucial historical and legal insights to support my case.

Supporting His Health: Reducing the financial burden will allow him to focus on both his legal fight and his on going recovery.

Let's Come Together as a Community

David and his family gave so much to Dunnville—employing countless young people, supporting local causes, and creating a place where joy was a daily offering. Now it's our turn to give back. Your generosity can make a real difference in helping David restore what was unjustly taken and ensure that the spirit of the Grand Island Bar-B-Q lives on.

Please, if David and his family or the Grand Island Bar-B-Q has ever brought you a moment of joy or touched your life, over decades, please consider giving generously. Together, we can help him overcome these challenges and preserve a piece of our community's history.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Margaret Rose