Former Member of Parliament for the Salybia Constituency, Francois Barrie, has died. He passed at his home in Pointe, Kalinago Territory, on Sunday DNO has learned.
The cause of his death is unknown but it is understood that he had been ailing and has spent time in hospital.
Barrie was a school teacher for most of his life and was known as “Teacher Barrie” or simply “Cha Barrie.”
He was first elected to the Salybia Constituency in a bye-election on December 20, 1993, on a United Workers Party (UWP) ticket.
He was reelected in the 1995 general election.
However, he was defeated by Kelly Graneau of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) in the 2000 general election.
Barrie was an avid sportsman and a great lover of cricket.
He was once a member of the West Indies Cricket Board and in a Facebook interview with Dr Sam Christian in 2020 said that Adam Sanford, the first Kalinago to play international cricket, was his product.
He said that he has attended Test cricket matches in many famous venues around the region with the first one in Jamaica in 1968.
“I just love the game,” he stated.
Barrie served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports from 1995-2000 under the UWP administration of former prime minister, Edison James.
Under his leadership as Member of Parliament, piped water was first brought to the Kalinago Territory and was jokingly referred to as “Barrie’s water”.
“I did what I could have done when I was parliamentary rep,” he told Dr. Christian in the Facebook interview.
Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit extended condolences to Barrie’s family on his official Facebook page.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Dominica, I extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Francois Barrie, the former Parliamentary Representative of the Salybia Constituency,” he wrote. Mr. Barrie represented the Salybia Constituency from 1993 to 2000 and was Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports from 1995-2000. We pray that God Almighty [grants] his family comfort and strength. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Member of parliament for the Salybia Constituency, Cozier Frederick, also took to social media to express condolences.
“I extend deepest condolences to the wife and children of my former Teacher: Francois Barrie,’ he wrote on Facebook.
“The Kalinago Space has lost a former Parliamentary Representative, cricket historian, and educator. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Rest in peace, Francois Barry. You served your people and Dominica well during your stay with us on this side of heaven. You even served the people of the region in our # one pastime, cricket. How’s that for a descent and patriotic citizen who gave it all. You were a gem beyond compare.
Alas Barr! You had me out, caught and bowl, to win the Trophy for Married Men in 1983. You were the best bowler of your kind on the Island. A nightmare for backfoot batsmen. You made your mark in history. A kind and passionate gentleman. May you rest in Peace.
He is going to reply to you soon. Check back in your inbox. Talking to the dead??? And emailing, too??
Rest in peace Mr.Barry this man was a good and humble man.Always reminded me of the first cricket match I played for Dominica.He was a friend.Condolences to the family.
Rip angels with you good man
RIEP with the ancestors Comrade! Thanks for you service to country and humanity by extension.
Condolences to the family and friends. RIP Sir
His knowledge of cricket was immaculate, he reminded us of the 100th test match in Trinidad recently between WI and India when he called in to sports talk shows. Not on the same political sides but I’d say he served his country well.
May his soul rest in eternal peace!
He had a deep love for the sport of cricket, and could remember a lot about the West Indies cricket team of the 50’s upwards to the present.
R I P Mr Barry!