It is with heavy hearts that the family of Antonia "Tony" Olive Barry (Ferlatte) announces her sudden but peaceful passing on Sunday, April 3 at Windsor Court Retirement Residence.
Tony, born in Dalhousie, NB on October 11, 1924, was 91. The eldest child of the late Theophile and Rose (Noel) Ferlatte, she was predeceased by her loving husband, Sgt. John William Barry (Fredericton Police Force), her brother, Edmund Ferlatte, sister-in-laws, Maxine, Judy and Irma Ferlatte and brother-in-law George Jessop.
She is survived by her children, Rick Barry (Deb), Cathy Belmore (Dave), Mike Barry (Dianne) and Judy McGrattan (John). She will also be fondly remembered by her eleven grandchildren, Troy and Jennifer Barry, Ryan Belmore, Sarah Drisdelle (Johnathan), Erica Reid, John, Josh and Kaleigh Barry (Matthew Jackson) and Meghan, Alysha and Taylor McGrattan; one great granddaughter, Alyssa Richardson; brothers, Aurelle, Robert (Claircy), Roger, Andre (Iva) and Guy Ferlatte; and sisters, Jeanne Jessop, Claudette Guitard (Art), Estelle Doucette (Raymond) and Camille Wallace (Norman).
Tony grew up in Dalhousie, NB and was schooled by Nuns. She graduated from Community College in 1943 and left Dalhousie to work in Montreal but later found her way to Fredericton where she met her husband, John while playing softball. They married in November, 1952.
Tony’s greatest love was her family. While their children were growing up, the family enjoyed spending much of their free time at their Green Hill Lake cottage. Tony loved to host family gatherings and was actively involved in organizing the "Ferlatte" Family Reunion in 2000, where close to 150 family members converged. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she spent much of the year knitting and shopping to fill "special" boxes with mitts, scarves, hats, toys and doll clothes for her grandchildren and extended family. Homemade meat pies and seafood chowder became the staple of her Christmas Eve gatherings and Easter always followed with a meticulously organized scavenger hunt for all of her grandchildren.
Among her many talents, Tony was a humble and accomplished athlete. In 2013, she was inducted into the NB Softball Hall of Fame as a member of the Fredericton St. Dunstan’s C.Y.O. ladies softball team. Her team won the Provincial softball championship in 1950, 1951 and 1953. In 1953, they became the first New Brunswick ladies softball team to ever win the Maritime Championships. Tony was also a talented bowler, learned to play golf at the age of 65 and was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for more than 60 years.
Tony moved to Fredericton in 1947 at the age of 23 and worked at the Legislature and various government departments until 1954 when she was hired as a secretary by the first Executive Director of the New Brunswick Liberal Association, the late Senator Charles McElman. Her role initially involved typing speeches and performing various administrative duties until the early 60s when it expanded into field-work for by-elections and provincial and federal elections. She eventually became a liberal backroom fixture – organizing leadership conventions, running leadership campaigns and working tirelessly to encourage women to become more involved in politics.
As the years evolved, Tony became a fixture at national conventions and regularly played a key role in organizing provincial conventions. Eventually, she became a Liberal institution, often referred to as "Mother Superior" of the New Brunswick Liberal Party and the "Energizer Bunny" of New Brunswick Politics.
Perhaps Tony’s legacy with the Liberal Party was her invaluable efforts in establishing and organizing women’s clubs around the Province. Due in part to her dedication and hard work, New Brunswick has more Liberal Women’s clubs than any other Atlantic Province. In honor of her dedication, the "Tony Barry Fund" was established in 1996 to support women in politics.
Long after Tony retired, she still had an office in the Liberal party provincial headquarters in downtown Fredericton. The building, "The Tony Barry House", once home of Premier Louis J. Robichaud was named in her honor in 1994. Tony worked with 17 premiers and party leaders.
Tony’s brilliant soul and warm heart touched every person she met. She cherished all of her personal and political friendships and considered them part of her extended family.
In 2010, Windsor Court Retirement Residence became Tony’s home. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all staff for their exceptional care during her residency.
Visitation will be held at the Fredericton Convention Center, 2nd Floor, Queen Street, Fredericton, NB on Sunday, April 10 from 1:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, April 11 at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church with Father Bill Brennan and Father John Jennings officiating.
For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the "Tony Barry Fund" for Women in Politics (715 Brunswick Street, Fredericton 453-3950) or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are entrusted with Bishop’s Funeral Home, 540 Woodstock Road, Fredericton. Personal condolences may be offered through www.bishopsfuneralhome.com.
