Barry Maguire

Thinking of our cousin Barry, now returned to Derry for his final resting place. Feeling so much sadness and love for the family, knowing they and we have lost a beautiful soul, gone too soon but who will leave an everlasting imprint on out hearts. The last time we spoke should not have been the last time, you had hopes and dreams still to be lived. In words taken from your own poetry, so beautifully written The heavens above has opened its arms, To welcome you home for eternity. In a place where only angels sing, You will live forever in Gods grace and divinity'. And finally you wrote Faith is the only truth you need' . Rest gently and in peace, reunited with your beautiful Mum and Dad. Love in our heart always: Rita, Gail, Steven, Caroline and families xxxx Rita Reeves Cousin Wednesday 28 May 2025

Dear Barry, we met in 1995 when I started to work at Disney. I realize how priviledged I have been to cross your path in the very beginning of my gay life. You have been kind, understanding and always encouraging and supporting! You believed in me from the very first moment we met, when I did not believe in myself and you kept on telling me "it's going to be all right". We unfortunately lost touch after I left Paris and moved to the Netherlands. Few years back we reconnected via facebook but never manage to meet again. It always takes losing someone special to realize we should have spend more time and energy staying in touch and sharing more special moments.
You have been one key person in my life, when my life became confusing, you brought be calm, clarity and comfort and love, you were full of love, fun and compassion and this is why everyone loved you!
I hope you have found peace and keep watching over us now that you are gone.
I never forgot you despite the time and distance that seperated us and I will always have a special place for you in my heart ! Rest in peace my dear friend Time slips past but memories last. Nordine Hamel ( Haarlem, The Netherlands) Wednesday 28 May 2025

Dear Barry,

My dearest friend. Years of Disney and Planet Hollywood. We had amazing evenings and nights together and a fantastic couple of weeks in Thailand, each living on a bottle of whiskey and two packets of cigarettes a day. You were my rock and support when I left Paris to go and live with Jimmy in the Netherlands, and I had a hard time adjusting to my home country again. The first couple of years, I was back almost every month and you made me Jack’s godfather when we got him from a shop on the Quai de la Seine. Later Jimmy joined in on the numerous weekends we spent at your place on rue Saint Sauveur. We made sure we were there for you during your first and most dark period of your life and kept on visiting you. You later told me that you did not understand how I could have put up with all that. My answer was “That’s what friends are for, in good and bad times”. When your physical health was declining, we didn’t come as often, so you could save your energy. But we had each other on the phone regularly and later weekly or twice weekly. For you, it was enough to know you could call me anytime and I would be there on the other end of the line. Long talks about family and friends and the wonderful souvenirs we made together. But at a certain moment, I couldn’t get through to you anymore. And then what I was afraid of for so long happened. You were gone. And yes Barry, I was crying, again! You leave a huge empty hole in our lives. It is surreal not to be able to pick up the phone anymore. Not being able to visit you and enjoy your presence, humour, and laughter. I miss you terribly my friend.
I hope you and Jack are in a better place now and at peace, together with your beloved mum.
My sincere condolences to your family. I wish them a lot of strength in the years to come and that they will be there for each other, to make it a bit more bearable to live without you being there anymore. You will never be forgotten and will always live on in our hearts. Your friends, Kees van Gastel & Jimmy Ho, Almere, Netherlands Wednesday 14 May 2025