Project Action Pays Tribute To John Barritt Snr
[Updated] Following the passing of former Speaker of the House F. John Barritt, a number of people paid tribute, citing Mr. Barritt’s public record and lifelong commitment to Bermuda.
Born in Bermuda in 1916, Mr. Barritt attended Woodlands School and Saltus Grammar before adulthood, eventually marrying Hilary Pantry in 1944 and going on to have four children: Jennifer, John, Mark and Martha-Jane.
Mr. Barritt’s career as an elected official began in 1968 when he was voted into the House of Assembly as UBP Member of Parliament for Devonshire South; he later went on to serve as Minister of Transport and as Minister of Marine and Air Services before serving a 10-year tenure as Speaker of the House of Assembly.
Premier Craig Cannonier said, ”Mr. Barritt was a community servant in every sense, serving people through his church and as a longstanding Member of Parliament for Devonshire South, Government Minister, and Speaker of the House for ten years from 1979 to 1989.”
The Premier added, “He was by all accounts an excellent MP, always approachable and ever caring; a man who looked after his constituents’ needs and the affairs of the country. In his time in the Speaker’s chair, Mr. Barritt was regarded as a fair and wise man, whose calm and civil demeanor helped keep the lid on an often fractious House of Assembly.”
Mr. Barritt is pictured below with his son John Barritt in 2010
Chairman of the One Bermuda Alliance Thad Hollis said, “The Hon Frederick John Barritt was one of the best known and most respected members of the United Bermuda Party. He was an intelligent, gracious and even-tempered man, whose calm, but firm grasp of the debate in the House of Assembly won him respect and admiration from MPs on both sides of the House.
“I would like to offer our most sincere condolences to his family, and especially to his son, former OBA member John Barritt, who played such a major role in the formation of this party.”
A statement from the Opposition said, “The Progressive Labour Party offers our condolences to the family of former Speaker F.J. Barritt on his passing.
“Speaker Barritt served Bermuda as an MP for many years and sat in the Speaker’s Chair from 1979 through 1989. We would like to specifically pass our condolences on to his son, the former MP of Devonshire South Central, John Barritt, who continued on the family tradition of serving the Bermudian people in politics.”
Cindy Swan from Project Action said, “The directors, staff, and volunteers at Project Action are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Speaker of the House F. John Barritt.
“F. John B, as I fondly referred to him, was Project Action’s first honourary director. He was such a humble man and was surprised that we wanted him to be involved with Project Action. In his humble humility, he shared that, at his age and since he was out of politics for such a while, he wasn’t sure what he could bring to Project Action.
“I explained to him that we were honoured to have him consider taking up this position and convinced him that he did have so much experience to share with us. He was a trooper and always willing to attending corporate presentations with us, usually knowing all the benefactors on a first name basis and hence opening up many half shut doors for our charity.
“He would enjoy the board meeting luncheons where he and the late David Barber would get all dressed up and reminisce about the past, and we would have to schedule another meeting to finish up the agenda. I think it was their secret plan so they could meet and chat some more, much to our delight.
“We enjoyed his stories of how he came from humble beginnings, his overseas travels as a young man, and how he met his wife. We were very sad when Mr. Barritt’s family told us he would no longer be able to serve as a honorary director.
“Bermuda has lost a real statesman who was a humble, gentle, big-hearted leader. We extend our sincerest condolences to his entire family,” added Mrs Swan.
Update 2.22pm: Acting Governor Ginny Ferson said, “I was sorry to learn of the death of John Barritt Snr who devoted so many years of his life to the service of his country and community. By all accounts he was a fair and gracious man, widely loved and respected. I send my sincere condolences to his family at this sad time”
