Rev. Evan "Tom" Barrington Jr.

The Rev. Evan "Tom" Barrington, Jr., age 67, a longtime resident of N. Chelmsford, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a short battle with melanoma. He was the best husband ever to Linda Ann (Robbins) Barrington with whom he enjoyed 44 years of marriage and 49 years of deep friendship.
He was born in Boston on September 14, 1956 and was the son of the late Evan Tom and Helene Rockwell (Parker) Barrington. Tom grew up in Brookline, Michigan, Switzerland, and New Jersey. Originally wanting to study Biology, he quickly changed to Psychology at Muhlenberg College after realizing the calculus requirement. It was there where he met Linda.
Tom first felt the call to ministry while preparing for his Eagle Scout Award in high school, after interviewing his parish priest (Fr. Walter Bell). After college, he continued on to get his Master's Degree in Divinity at Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1988. In his 35 years of ordained ministry, he was the Canon at the Cathedral in Syracuse, NY, a Vicar in East Syracuse, NY, and on the Onondaga Nation in Upstate New York. In 1999, he became the Rector of All Saints' Church in Chelmsford, MA. While there he encouraged and fostered engagement with Habitat for Humanity, the Cabell-Lincoln Work Camp in West Virginia, and partnered with the orphan feeding program of Enyahera Parish in the Diocese of Maseno North in Kenya.
He felt called to leave parish ministry in 2012 and became the Direct Care Supervisor at the Lowell Transitional Living Center for those experiencing homelessness. After a few years, he then returned to parish ministry as an Interim Priest serving at Bristol Trinity in Easton, St. Stephen's in Lynn and St. Paul's in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Tom always had a passion for serving marginalized communities whether it was getting kids involved in worship, indigenous peoples, refugees of all faiths, those living with mental illness, and the unhoused to name a few. He felt strongly about using his voice and privilege to advocate for others as part of living out his Christian values.
Ever the extrovert, Tom liked to chat and create connections, whether it was talking to everyone at a church potluck, coordinating an interfaith volleyball game, or supporting the Mass Diocesan Youth Council. He was also known for embracing the simple quiet acts of sitting and listening or being a steady presence in tough times in the lives of his parishioners.
In retirement, Tom led an International Institute of New England (IINE) volunteer team who continue to accompany an Afghan refugee family of nine to resettle in Lowell, MA. He also volunteered for the Open Pantry downtown, assisted with the after-school arts program at St. John's, Lowell, and occasionally did Sunday Supply at local parishes.
Tom enjoyed hiking, rowing, canoeing, reading, cooking, spending time with family, as well as visiting the family property on Cape Cod. Known for his kindness and unwavering commitment to those in need, Tom dedicated his life to uplifting and supporting global and local communities. He will be deeply missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him.
In addition to his loving wife, Tom is survived by his daughter Jennifer Barrington of Lowell; his son Douglas Barrington, wife Francine, and two grandchildren, Henry and Julia, all of Baltimore, MD; sisters Lynn McCleary and husband Bob of Muscatine, IA, and Nancy Barrington of Orleans, MA; his brother Brian Barrington and wife Mary Jane of Somersworth, NH; brother-in-law Mark Robbins and wife Robin Rhodes of Newburyport, in addition to many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday Aug 15, 2024 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday Aug 17, 2024 at 10:30 am at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 8 Kirk St., LOWELL. Guests are invited to wear blue or their favorite Hawaiian print. Private Interment will take place on Cape Cod.
Memorial donations may be made in Tom's memory to the Lowell Transitional Living Center.