Hello, I am sharing the eulogy read at Uncle Patrick’s service below. Thank you. 

Good afternoon friends and family,

Thank you all for attending this ceremony honoring the life of Patrick Barrow. My name is Roger LeGendre and this is my daughter Rumer LeGendre. Patrick was our uncle and my friend for as long as I can remember. He was also a loving husband to Deborah, a wonderful brother, father to all his beautiful children, an uncle, grandfather and friend to many of us gathered here today. I am heartbroken by his passing, but I am honored to speak briefly about his life because I know how devastating this loss is for all of us.

For Patrick, family and community came first and that is evident in the way he lived his life. As a lifelong artist he shared his creations widely. From earrings made from natural materials sold in Prospect Park to unique carnival costumes. His creations inspired and bought beauty and joy into the lives of everyone fortunate enough to have one of his works. As we all know, Patrick had a special connection to the earth, as he had a true love for urban gardening and farming, and he was a vegetarian for most of his life. Along with his love for art and gardening, we can’t forget Patrick’s cooking. His cooking was only rivaled by Deborah’s. At many family gatherings, we all looked forward to his vegetarian dishes or tasty fish.

There was rarely a day you wouldn’t find Patrick and I working together in the building or completing a side job for a friend. Doing simple things like repairs and painting together will forever be some of the most memorable moments for me. The conversations and the laughs we shared still to this day make me smile. Connecting with people was one of his many gifts. Wherever Patrick was there was always jokes, smiles and a lot of love.

When it came to Patrick, age didn’t matter, because somehow all of my friends were his friends. A true testament to his youthful spirit.

All of us gathered here today, can take comfort in knowing two things to be true. One, Patrick is in heaven with our Heavenly Father and two, he is resting peacefully.

I’d like to close with a poem from Linda Ellis, titled The Dash.

The Dash

by Linda Ellis copyright 1996

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth

and spoke the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

the cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what’s true and real

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

and more often wear a smile,

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,

with your life’s actions to rehash…

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent YOUR dash?

Patrick made his dash stand for something. He had a big heart and love for us of all. Let’s all continue to spread love and make our dashes count in his honor.

Dearest Ameria,

I am sending you love and my deepest condolences. I can see your beautiful spirit in your father’s face. You have my heart, Robin Abbott 

We were blessed to have met Patrick and our hearts are filled with love and sadness at his passing. His hands have crafted parts of our house that are essential to our family and we are honored to have his creative spirit resonate in our home and his voice and laugh always in our ears. 

Patrick was a kind, wise soul and a truly remarkable man, and the world is a better place for his being here. We take comfort knowing he is at peace and are grateful for what time we had him in our lives, however brief. 

Sending you our love and condolences to your whole family - we will never forget him. 

Uncle Patrick visited his home town - Belmont, whenever he was in the country.  He must visit his big brother George and call out to his great niece and nephew from the patio opposite where his big sister - Auntie Roslyn live...yes brother and sister lived opposite each other and that was hilarious.  I remember him taking my kids to the savannah for a walk to look at the masqueraders and on their return they would talk of their experience with Uncle Patrick buying them the local snacks one in particular chillibibi.  He showed them how to eat it, this memory they will always cherish which they now call him "Uncle Chillibibi".

For me, Uncle Patrick was my arts and craft guy and I am happy that I got some of your jewelry to which I have to this day and will cherish.