MCDONNELL, Finbarr “Barry”, CD MM

In the early hours of November 6, 2023, Barry shuffled off this mortal coil in South Shore Regional Hospital.

He was the best friend and husband of Mary Catharine McDonnell (Leonard) for over 41 years. Barry is survived by Mary Catharine, by son David Inglis (Emily Mason), grandchildren Katherine and Asher whose proud “Grumpy” he was, sister Joan Stibbard, brother-in-law Michael Leonard, and sisters-in-law Sandy McDonnell and Pat McDonnell. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Barry was predeceased by his parents Aileen and Vincent McDonnell, brothers Robert and Tom, brother-in-law Gerry Stibbard, as well as three brothers and a niece who died in infancy.

He will be sorely missed by Charlotte, the golden retriever he shared with Mary Catharine.

Barry was born in Cork, Ireland, and emigrated with his family to Canada at age five. He joined the RCN following his graduation from Laurentian University and retired with the rank of Commander. Barry was the Commissioning Captain of the HMCS Kingston. Following that, he worked for Secunda Marine/ J.R. McDermott as a ship’s captain. Five years ago, he fulfilled a long-held wish and walked the Camino de Santiago from the French village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela in the province of Galicia, covering 780 km. in 32 days.

The family would like to thank the staff of the ICU in SSRH for their excellent and compassionate care of Barry during the last three weeks of his life.

Barry’s funeral will be held Saturday, November 25, at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Lunenburg at 1 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Keith Billard. Interment will be at a later date. A reception will follow the funeral at Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home,11213 Highway 3, Lunenburg.

Donations can be made to: Nature Conservancy of Canada, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Barry and Mary Catharine McDonnell Endowment Fund, or St. Norbert’s Church. www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca