JACK BARRY: AN APPRECIATION FROM WEXFORD WATER SAFETY
IRISH Water Safety Wexford mourns the loss of our dear Jack Barry who died on February 13. Jack suffered some ill health prior to his death, but it did not stop him examining the first course in 2017 held by Wexford Water Safety.
Jack examined the 21 candidates for the instructors and created 21 new Pool Lifeguards
The final award Jack received from Irish Water Safety last November was National Volunteer of the Year. He received it with great pride, as did his county. Jack represented Wexford Water Safety for over 55 years playing a central role both locally and nationally.
Jack was a Life Governor with Irish Water Safety for the past 6/7 years He was an Instructor, Examiner, Beach Life Guard Provider, Pool Lifeguard Provider, River Life Guard Provider, CFR Tutor for Wexford since the beginning of this particular Award, a Risk Assessor, Swim teacher
He started the water safety and swim weeks in his hometown of Bunclody in the 70s and they are still running in the pool he looked after with the local committee
Jack has been Chair of Wexford Water for many years, and most recently has been the Equipment Officer. He was the manager of Ferrybank Swimming Pool and in this role he was instrumental in setting up the programmes of Irish Water Safety which are running today
Each year he organised the Beach Guard Testing with Wexford Co Council and was the examiner on our Beach Guard Courses – we Wexford water Safety usually run two courses during each year.
In Bunclody Jack was the trainer and Tutor for his community training and enabling the locals in the CPR and AED skills necessary to maintain the rota for defibrillation in the town of Bunclody, as it is a 40 minute ambulance response time in this area.
Jack served on various commissions nationally in the 70s and 80s as recorded in the history of Irish Water Safety.
Jack has always been a busy volunteer with Wexford Water Safety ensuring the beach and pool lifeguarding courses had an expert examiner, encouraging instructors, and examining when required.
He examined the Assistant swim teachers at our Assistant Swim Teacher’s course each year
Wexford Water Safety was proud to put Jack forward as volunteer of the year as he epitomises our voluntary ethos
He always gave freely of his time to discuss issues that arise, he was a constant presence of knowledge, and was available to us both locally and nationally
All the Instructors he has trained over the years, myself included, have the utmost respect for his knowledge, commitment and passion for his approach to water safety and his integrity in everything he does
He celebrated his 80th birthday last October. The loss of Jack to Wexford Water Safety will be felt for very many years. His gentleness, compassion, love of teaching and sharpness of mind were legendary throughout the county. His problem-solving skills, people-management forward planning leaves a legacy to ensure that he will be remembered with great love, admiration and deep respect.