Wayne in happier times and good health
Group picture in November, 2007Team to retire jersey of beloved coach, player, who died from cancer
BLACKS HARBOUR – The Blacks Harbour Junior Silverkings and the industrial league Bonny River Ratz will hold separate pre-game ceremonies this weekend to honour a friend and teammate, Wayne Barrett, who died last summer after a brave battle with cancer.The Silverkings will honour Barrett in a pregame ceremony Saturday night while the Ratz, Wayne’s team, will hold a ceremony before their Sunday night game.Barrett, of Back Bay, was diagnosed with cancer in November 2007 and at that time his friends from the local industrial hockey league organized a show of support as everybody knew the consequences when dealing with this affliction. He underwent many treatment sessions and in July of this year, he lost the battle. But before he passed, he found out how many friends he and his family had in the area. He even found support from an unexpected source as the famous entertainer, and one of Wayne’s idols, Larry the Cable Guy called him and wished him all the best.
Wayne was well-known on the local scene for his coaching, playing, and also as a fan who loved to go out and cheer on the locals. Wayne was voted minor hockey coach of the year in 2007-2008 season. This weekend, his friends will gather at the Fundy Arena in Blacks Harbour to show their appreciation in two separate pre-game ceremonies in Wayne’s honour. The local junior hockey team, the Blacks Harbour Junior Silver Kings, have retired the number 5 worn by Barrett on his industrial league team and the club will wear special patches as a tribute to Wayne. They plan a pre-game ceremony before their game Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., General Manager Geoff Cunningham said.“We felt this was a way to show that people do care for one another and that Wayne’s contributions didn’t go unnoticed,” Cunningham said. “I have known him for many years and he was a stand up guy who had passion for the game second to none. The whole hockey association from the smallest kids to the adult leagues are doing similar things as we are and I think it’s a great idea.”
Sunday at 7:40 p.m. the Bonny River Ratz, of the Fundy Industrial Hockey League, will hold a sweater retirement ceremony for Barrett. Wayne’s wife, Allene, and their daughter, Brooke, and son, Brandon, will be in attendance as his number 5 will rise to the rafters. “This is something that we planned a while ago and got the blessing of the family before proceeding,” said Wayne’s friend and long-time Ratz teammate Mark Taylor. “The core of our team has been together for a long time and Wayne was a part of that and we do not want to forget him. We are planning something that we know Wayne would have approved of and appreciated immensely.”
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