Barry Quinn’s great-grandfather was from Birr, Ireland.
He married his high school sweetheart, Louise and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
He retired as a Justice of the Peace, is a past Halton Alderman and city councillor, as well as Chairman of the Halton Police Services. Barry is also a past president of the Ontario Police Services Board. He even threw his hat into the 2025 Ward 8 byelection in Hamilton. But what really stands out is his resume full of community-minded activities for helping his neighbours.
Barry was instrumental in collecting used soccer equipment and shipping it to Ghana, West Africa and then helping a Canadian Rotary Group build three water towers in those communities.
Barry was Past President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, awarded JCI Senatorship 37501, a member of the Burlington Rotary Club, was presented the Paul Harris Fellowship for work in the community, a member of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Officers Club, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Burlington Branch 60,
volunteers as a Friday Fish and Chip cook and cooking for other Legion events.
Barry’s love of St. Patrick’s Day was evident in his many years as caterer for the Burlington Rotary Club’s St. Patrick’s Corned Beef and Cabbage fundraiser and then later for the Burlington Legion.
He convinced Burlington City hall to fly the Irish flag one year and to allow a stretch of Brant St to be painted green. Barry was instrumental in establishing the Burlington Irish-Canadian Club when he resided in Burlington.
After moving to Hamilton, Barry joined the Hamilton Irish-Canadian Club as well as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – Hamilton Irish Arts, supporting all events including concerts, ceili dances and the weekly session. He has taken an active interest in the Toronto St. Patrick’s Day Parade and attends all events connected to that organization, including participating in the parade with his green “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and marching with Hamilton Irish Arts banner. Barry has attended the North American Comhaltas Convention in Chicago and almost every Tuesday night he’s at the Corktown Pub in Hamilton to sing Irish songs. Barry is an active member at his residence complex as a member of the Men’s club, the activity committee, CANADA Day chair,
garage sale chair and he hosts a Sunday Hymn Sing in the Chapel. Barry cooks for the Legion’s Robbie Burns celebrations, is an active member at St. John’s Church in Burlington to name a few organizations he is active in.
Google says: The Irish personality is generally characterized by a blend of warm hospitality, quick-witted humour, and a resilient, storytelling nature. Often described as charming and sociable, they possess a deep-seated passion for culture, music, and sport…Google could include Barry Quinn’s photo beside that definition.
Wearing of the Green - Hamilton 