He was born February 7, 1944, to Katherine (Hayden) and John Merlin Barry. He was the second of three children. He attended St. Peter and Danbury High Schools and started his first career upon graduation as a copyboy and then reporter for The News-Times.
On July 1, 1969, he began his service to his community with the Danbury Police Department, attaining the rank of Detective Lieutenant. He was known statewide and nationally for his work in the areas of crime prevention and community policing. He was president of the Crime Prevention Association of Connecticut, the American Crime Prevention Association and was a founding member of the New England Crime Prevention/Community Policing Partnership. He served for many years on the States’ Advisory Committee of the National Crime Prevention Council. Kevin grew up next door to the Wooster Hose Co. #5 firehouse where he was a member for over sixty years.
Following his retirement from the police department he served as a special assistant to former Mayor Gene Eriquez. He ended his working-life with a fourteen-year career as the Public Safety Director at the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury.
What he was most proud of was his three children—Patrick (Kera), Tricia Gantert (Peter) and Keith. What brought him the most joy were his three grandchildren—Kaitlyn and Daniel Gantert, and Keira Gallagher.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, his brother Richard Barry and sister Nadine Robinson, along with several nieces and nephews.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Thursday September 8th at Saint Peter Church, Danbury. Interment will follow in Saint Peter Cemetery, Danbury.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Peter Church or the Wooster Hose Company, DVFD.
