As many of you have already heard or read, Barr Clayson, a past NEM Board Member and LMSC Chairman, an unofficial NEM social director, a very gifted swimmer, and a wonderful friend to those who were blessed to have known him, passed away Sunday, June 22nd. Barr was 72… going on 42! He had many roles; too many to write about here. Just briefly, in addition to the ones already mentioned, he was a successful investment counselor, past Vice Chairman of the NE Baptist Board of Trustees, consultant to a top Boston law firm, a member of the Brown University Hall of Fame, a gracious host and a holder of numerous national and New England Top Ten times and swim records. Barr was a true visionary whose zest for living life to the fullest was truly awe inspiring. A positive role model and a family man in every sense and, yes, a successful businessman, board member, swimmer, etc. He left his mark is so many areas but several of us will remember him mostly as a very special friend with a great smile and a charismatic personality. Barr led such an incredibly rich and fulfilled life so that if you were one of the fortunate people to have been a part of his life, even if that meant only a brief encounter or two, you were truly blessed. Generous with his gifts of friendship, humor, integrity, and advice he will forever live on in our hearts.
For those of you who knew Barr, you realized the second you met him what a unique individual he was and you have your own special memories. Perhaps those memories involve a clam bake or participation in the “Clayson Relays” at his house in Weston, a post meet beer relay, a Texas Two Step dance, a conversation regarding the future of NEM, world politics, or the need for change in our health care system. For those of you who never met Barr then you missed a rare opportunity indeed.
He was simply the greatest and to say he will be missed is such an understatement. We will never forget our special friend. Rest in peace, Barr, until we meet again.
