Marine Patrol headquarters to bear Dave Barrett's name

WEIRS BEACH — Two tolls of the M/S Mount Washington's bell announced the arrival of the ashes of Dave Barrett and two more tolls of the ship's bell announced their arrival on deck.

Barrett, the director of N.H. Safety Services who died last week, was honored yesterday afternoon by family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers who packed the Mount to say their final goodbyes.

His ashes arrived a Marine Patrol vessel escorted by two other Marine Patrol vessels, their blue lights flashing as they made the turn on Lake Winnipesaukee, coming north from the agency's headquarters at the Glendale docks.

People clustered on the starboard side of the Mount while uniformed police officers from all walks of law enforcement, including the Department of Fish and Game in the bright red and green official uniforms, lined the port side to await the honor guard.

A Marine Patrol Honor guard bore his ashes to a table aboard the Mount that adorned with flowers and pictures of Barrett portraying him as everyone there remembered him.

Marine Patrol Lt. Tim Dunleavy led the brief ceremony by lauding Barrett's 40 years of service to his country including the U.S. Military, police departments in both California and New Hampshire and his final 19 year as the Director of Division of Safety Services and the Marine Patrol.

But like anything involving Barrett, there was plenty of laughter.

Dunleavy recalled how during some financial hard times in the 1990s, Barrett worked a weekend shift every summer. He said the young officers who were on his boat were nervous until they realized that "Dave never brought his lunch and was always willing to pay for the lobster rolls."

Dunleavy also recalled how Barrett loved motorcycles and wine. "He preferred motorcycles over boats and wine over water," he said.

Barrett's Brother Doug, a twin who looks just like him, looked out over the crowd and said "Holy ----" using one of Barrett's most remembered expressions.

Department of Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes remembered Barrett as leader who loved his family, his employees and enjoyed protecting the safety and enjoyment of the million people who live in the state and the millions who come to New Hampshire annually to enjoy its waterways.

He also recalled Barrett as one of the funniest people he ever met saying he and Director of Emergency 9-1-1 Services Bruce Cheney were like Abbott and Costello in staff meetings with Cheney playing the role of the straight man.

"Cheney," he said. "Where are you?"

From the stern of the Mount came a small voice, "Way back here, sir,"answered Cheney while Barrett's wife Wendy smiled through her tears.

Wendy was presented with Barrett's Marine Patrol Badge No. 1.

In his honor, Gilford Marine Patrol Headquarters will be named after him and a new vessel that will patrol the coastal waters off New Hampshire will be christened the David T. Barrett.

"As we send her to sea, we ask the God of the seas to accept her passage and allow her and her crew to return safely," Barthelmes said.