DANIEL J. BARRY Sr.

BARRY, Daniel J. Sr. "Digger" Dan rode off into the sunset for the final time at 5:10 p.m., Wednesday May 2, 2018. Described often as a Renaissance Man, Daniel knew a little about everything and a lot about most things. The rest he surmised.

Born in Wakefield, MA to John and Veronica Barry, Dan took the world by storm. His energy and curiosity had him skipping out of St. Joseph's School at the age of five. Despite persistent truancy, he was such a charming guy the nuns still allowed him to be an angelic altar boy. Early on Daniel displayed his gift for engineering, invention and mechanics, including home-built ice boats, restored Corvettes, Austin Healys and motorcycles. He graduated from Wakefield High School in 1973, with a legacy of outstanding athleticism playing varsity football, ice hockey, and baseball starting as a freshman. Well known for his infectious laugh and daring escapades, he leaves his Wakefield friends many happy memories.

After a year-long journey to look for America, Daniel attended Stockbridge School at UMASS Amherst. Graduating with honors he began a life of big machinery and many road miles. Some highlights of his work life were working on the "Big Dig" and the opening of New Bedford Harbor and waterfront for windfarm construction.

With no need for maps - Google or otherwise - Dan could give you detailed directions to any destination in the lower 48. His mind was exquisitely tuned to distance, depth, and direction. He held every license for moving vehicles, with the exception of airplanes. And he was often called upon to solve or diagnose mechanical problems (although he never was sure on what day of the week Thanksgiving fell). His mind was an encyclopedia of car facts and figures. Daniel completed his final restoration job of his son's Jeep the day before his unexpected death.

The most positive person in the world, Dan loved life, loved sports, loved fast cars and driving slow. His natural athleticism entertained and delighted everyone. Snowboarding in construction boots, skiing on broken skis, ("It's not the equipment, it's the operator") wakeboarding, kite surfing, sailing, swimming, diving, ice skating -- all done with grace, style and a big smile. He tolerated fools, stared down bullies, sang to children, taught everyone something, and believed he was 5'9" as well as being "the Most Interesting Man in the World."

Daniel leaves behind his wife, Faith Sweetser, and his beloved kids, Anne, Ruthie, Martha and Bud, and his pups Dave and Dolly. He was devoted to his Mom, Veronica Barry, of Dartmouth, and loved his brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Dad John Barry, his brother-in-law Tim Sweetser and his nephew Kees Brenninkmeyer.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday May 7 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Dartmouth. A Celebration of Daniel's life will be held Sunday, July 22. There will be no wake or reception. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Daniel's name to Boston Children's Hospital Nephrology and the Humane Society Southcoast.

Be like Dan, be kind.