Tributes paid to ‘truly fine human being’
AN ARCHETYPAL Guernsey donkey and 'a truly fine human being' was how some of those who knew Barry Paint have described the former deputy, who died in the last few days, aged 74.
Lyndon Trott said Mr Paint was a family friend, but he really got to know him some 30 years ago when Deputy Trott was a commercial fisherman, a job which Mr Paint also held for many years.
‘Barry gave me his old trawler charts, telling me to take good care of them,’ he said.
‘And he told me many of his favourite ormering spots and in the traditional Guernsey way said: “Don’t forget me for a feed”.’
Deputy Trott said Mr Paint spoke occasionally during States debates, but always on topics that he knew a great deal about, particularly anything to do with the marine environment.
‘Barry was a fluent speaker of Guernesiais and he was a man of the sea – a master mariner in every sense of the word.’
He was passionate about island culture and history, in particular fishing, and he was president of the Guernsey Fishermen’s Association at the time of his death.
‘He was a caring and loving family man and a man who was particularly generous to his friends,’ said Deputy Trott.
Policy & Resources president Deputy Peter Ferbrache said Mr Paint loved Guernsey with a passion.
‘Those of us who knew him were very fortunate, we will all miss him and remember him with real fondness,’ he said.
‘Never have I seen anyone of greater integrity and sincerity.
‘He was a truly fine human being. Our sympathies are with his family and we are grateful to them for allowing us to have spent time with him.’
Neil Inder also paid tribute to him.
‘Barry was one of the most genuine men anyone could wish to know,’ he said.
‘He was steeped in family traditions, conducted a huge amount of charitable work and only recently passed on the reins of his Vietnamese Trust, that has supported the installation of electricity, water and the sponsoring of children’s education in the country.’
Deputy Inder said friends used to tease Mr Paint about an incident when he was captaining a square-rigged ship, the Hispaniola, which was used in films including Treasure Island.
While it was being sailed to another location it sank off Spain, earning Mr Paint the title ‘the last Englishman to sink a Spanish galleon’, which Deputy Inder said would lead to a typically Guernsey reaction to being called an Englishman.
Mr Paint returned to the Castel douzaine last November to serve alongside vice-dean David Chester, who lived next door to him.
‘He was a very valuable member of the douzaine,’ said Mr Chester. ‘An archetypal Guernsey donkey. He took an active role when his health permitted and he was hoping to get back into it.’
A life at sea before turning to politics
BARRY PAINT lived in the Castel for more than 30 years and served it as a deputy from 2008, stepping down ahead of the 2020 election.
He also did a term as constable in 2008-09 and as a member of the douzaine.
During his time in the States he was a member of the then Environment Department, Housing Department, Scrutiny Committee and the Public Accounts Committee among others.
Mr Paint was a qualified Master Mariner and served in the Merchant Navy. He also worked as a professional fisherman, and after spending time as a special marine pilot of Guernsey and Jersey, he spent 21 years as a general pilot at St Peter Port and St Sampson’s Harbours.
