“He was a true Guernseyman”

Tuesday 19 July 2022

Former Deputy Barry Paint has passed away at the age of 74 and one of his closest colleagues has said “it’s truly a sad day”.

Barry was a professional fisherman and marine pilot and spent 12 years serving the island as a deputy.

He began his career in politics as a member of the Castel Douzaine and was subsequently elected as a Parish Constable and then a People’s Deputy for Castel in 2008. He polled fifth at the time with 47% of the vote.

He consistently increased his vote percentage, after being re-elected in 2012 with 51% and 2016 with 53%. He retired from the States in 2020.

Pictured: Barry was qualified as a Master Mariner and spent many years in the Merchant Navy. He was known to his friends and family as a very caring man.

During his 12 years in the States, Barry served on several committees, including Public Accounts, Environment, Housing, Public Sector Remuneration and Scrutiny. In his first term he was Vice President of the Public Accounts Committee.

Barry was also known for his charity work in a Vietnamese village.

Deputy Neil Inder was a good friend of Barry, he told Express “it is a sad day”.

“He was a true Guernseyman and he was a good man. He loved his family, his friends and his colleagues and he was well known to a vast majority of the island.”

Pictured: Barry and his friend Deputy Inder cracking open a chancre at the Terrace.

Barry was also close to Deputy Lyndon Trott, who said: “Barry was a great guy and a genuine and archetypal Guernsey man and a fluent speaker of Guernesiais. A real man of the sea and a Master Mariner in every sense. 

“While he was a States member he spoke rarely, but always from the heart and usually on subjects he knew well. He was also a very caring and loving family man and a man who treated his friends well.

“As President of the Guernsey Fisherman’s Association he was a passionate defender of our Islands historic rights and culture. He was also a generous man who passed on to me some of his favourite trawling and Ormering spots for safe custody. He did things the Guernsey way and said ‘Don’t forget me for a feed’ - I never did. 

“He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Barry is survived by his wife Diana and the two had been married for more than 50 years.

A personal statement from the President of Policy & Resources, Deputy Peter Ferbrache

"I was truly sad to hear of the death of former Deputy Barry Paint.  Barry was a wonderful person in every conceivable way.  He was a devoted family man.  He was a Master Mariner beyond compare.  He set up and ran a charity in a faraway place which so enriched people’s lives yet all the time never seeking personal attention.  I had the pleasure of working with him as States Members.  Never have I seen anyone of greater integrity and sincerity. 

"He loved Guernsey with a passion.  Those of us who knew him were very fortunate, we will all miss him and remember him with real fondness.  He was a truly fine human being.  Our sympathies are with his family and we are grateful to them for allowing us to have spent time with him."