Barry Finn passed away on Friday October 16 at the age of 58.

Barry was an amazing man. This video was made two weeks ago at a music gathering known as the Getaway.

I first heard Barry sing at an after-concert session at the Old Songs Festival, about 10 years ago. I was blown away by his incredible voice and soon discovered it was matched by a strong passion and knowledge of music from the sea.

Barry was part of a duo with Neil Downey known as Finn & Haddie. They performed at places like the Mystic Sea Festival, New England Folk Festivals (NEFFA), New Hampshire’s Great Bay Festival, the Gloucester (US) Maritime Festival, Boston’s First Night, the San Francisco Maritime Festival, the Salem Maritime Festival, Boston’s Sea Revels and many more. I have played their music on WFDU, and I wish more people had the opportunity to hear their great music.

I did not know Barry as well as I would have liked. We met only briefly, but exchanged e-mails on occasion and bantered back and forth on Mudcat (www.mudcat.org). Barry was passionate about his music, and he was a man of principle and determination. With his incredible voice he probably could have pursued a commercial career with music, but his devotion to traditional music kept him rooted with music as a source of pleasure and learning, not a ticket to a lucrative career.

Barry touched many people with his music and passion for life. He passed away much too soon. I think it is a testament to his character on the number of people who have commented about him on Internet sites like Mudcat and Facebook.

I was hoping to create an opportunity to bring him to the Hurdy Gurdy to share his incredible gift. His passing serves as a reminder of how fleeting life is and how we need to pursue our dreams. Barry lived his.

My condolences to his wife Justine and his children Natalie and Gabriel, and to all who were graced by his presence.