Barry Lucy
This was a time before portable radios became available and beat officers needed to be self-sufficient and rely on their ability to get a mobile response to help them with disturbances, crimes, or injuries. There was a direct line Call Box to the radio room at King and James and it was often used by police and others who knew how it worked. In those days, Barry Lucy was a ‘fixture’ at the corner of King and James where he sold the Globe and Mail newspaper. He was a disabled person, around 30 to 40 years of age, who appeared to have suffered a traumatic brain injury earlier in his life. Although there was speculation of family abuse, no one knew for certain.
In the early 70’s, it was quite common for some people to stand at main intersections and sell newspapers to passing drivers. They worked in all weather and lighting conditions and at times, were at risk of personal danger. In 1951 one man known only as “Scotty” was abducted from King and James Streets and murdered. His body was found some time later on the side of the escarpment in OPP jurisdiction, down towards Stoney Creek. That crime was never solved.
In those days, Barry Lucy was a ‘fixture’ at the corner of King and James where he sold the Globe and Mail newspaper. He was a disabled person, around 30 to 40 years of age, who appeared to have suffered a traumatic brain injury earlier in his life. Although there was speculation of family abuse, no one knew for certain.
Barry became friendly with police officers he met, especially Constables Darryl Buckle and Bob Jeffery to mention a few. Barry was born in Hamilton and had a sister. He had no sense of time and was often sent home by the officers walking the beat at 3 am. There were several attempts to rob him, but he had some training as a boxer and punched out “The PUUUNKSS” as he would call them.
Bob Jeffery was working in the Radio Room around that time and apparently told Barry he was “deputized” to use the Call Box when he needed help or to report an incident. He did often call the Radio Room.
Barry’s bike was stolen in the late 1970’s and the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police Association bought him a replacement bike designed and built to carry his morning Globe and Mail. He is seen receiving that bike in the photo, above. Many officers tried to help Barry with his issues, and he helped several officers as well. A true community-based policing effort. Barry died in 1983 in his “room” on Victoria Avenue, apparently of heart disease.
In 2020, we asked retired and former police members
to share their memories about Barry.
Larry Johnson – “Barry was a regular at Valo’s Burgers at King and Mary Streets. I was just a cadet, but he wanted to talk to me.”
Brian McManaman is Darryl Buckle’s son and grew up knowing Barry. “Having grown up with Barry, my dad made him a part of our family. Barry was an intelligent and kind man. I can still hear his voice on the phone asking, “Is Darryl in?”
Bill Moreton – Barry was always smiling and wanting to help. He said, “we need more like him.”
Rick Rozoski – Barry used the Call Box to call for a “q-zer” (that’s how Barry pronounced it). “When he told you the story, he would whisper even if there wasn’t anyone around. Great guy to talk to.”
John Winn was introduced to Barry soon after being hired. John was told that he was the only non-police person allowed to use the Call Box at King and James. I remember having to break up an argument between Barry and another fellow paperman when that person tried poaching on Barry’s corner. The other fellow usually sold his papers at John and King Streets. Whenever I encountered Barry, he would always greet me by name and ask if I knew officer Buckle. It’s strange to think back to that time in my career and realize how comforting it was to see Barry on his corner. That gave me a little sense of confidence and the feeling I wasn’t completely alone while I walked my beat.
Darryl Buckle was a representative of the Police Association. He was also a good friend of Barry. He and Bill Pinkney gave Barry a special bicycle that the Association bought. It was designed and built to carry his morning Globe and Mail which he sold all night long to support himself. He was a well-known ‘character’ of the King and James area who was a real friend to ALL police uniforms and came to their rescue with a fist that had real authority behind it, when necessary. Although somewhat limited from an early brain-damaging accident, he always did the very best he could. He was admired by all who knew him.
Al Smethurst was off duty, along with a friend, when they came across Barry at King and James. Barry was “being taunted by two “tuff” (Barry’s pronunciation) guys”. They had his empty canvas delivery bag and were playing “keep away”. I could see Barry was getting really agitated. We stopped and I told them to give the bag back and leave him alone. One guy turned to me and lipped off. Barry took that opportunity to drop the guy with one punch. The second guy turned and charged at Barry. Can’t say how many times he was hit, but he ended up on the ground under Barry and being pummeled. I clearly hear him to this day begging me “please help me, please help me”. Barry let him up and the last we saw of these two “tuff” guys, they were running north on James Street. I never saw Barry hit anyone before or after that day, but I forever believed the legend of Barry’s lightning-fast hands!
Jayne Lawson worked in the Radio Room and she remembers that Barry would use the Call Box to call in and “book on duty” or “10-8” when he started work.
Sid Millin remembers that when you were hired in the 70’s your first night walking foot patrol one or two, a more senior constable would introduce you to Barry as a new officer. The senior constable would say to Barry “show the new officer how you used to box. Barry would put his fists up and ‘bob’ around and throw punches at the new officer, coming very close to his nose. Barrie had quick fists. Once he met you, he always remembered your name. Great guy who loved the police and would jump in to help an officer or use the Call Box phone to call for help. He patrolled King and James for the Hamilton police.”
Steve Stone – Barry knew every beat officer’s name and would do anything to help the boys in blue. “He was a fixture at King and James when Hamilton had a vibrant downtown. His mental disability made his heart bigger. One of a kind, salt of the earth guy. One of Hamilton’s finest characters.”
Dave Bowen walked into an alley off Hughson Street and discovered a break-in progress and the suspects were cracking the safe. Upon his arrival they dove through a plate glass window, out onto King William Street. He had to run back to Hughson, up to King William and then west after the men. He finally caught one man in the doorway of Herb Mills China Shop. The suspect and I were completely out of breath. We just stood there with our hands on our knees trying to recover, speechless. Barry came to assist, and I told him to call for a cruiser and off he went to use the Call Box. “Thanks to you Barry!”
John Kimberly – Barry surprised the hell out of anyone who tried to bully or steal from him. He could go into boxing mode on cue.
Jim Swire – “You could always count on Barry asking if you required help walking the beat. He always had his finger on the pulse of the downtown. Unfortunately, Vince DeMascio and I were sent to a duplex on Victoria Street North where we found Barry deceased in 1983. King and James was never the same for me after that.”
Rosalyn Niewland – Barry would often come into Central Station and visit people in the Traffic Office. “His voice remains indelible… with the special way he would pronounce my name, Ross-lyn. Once while I was working a Special Duty at the A&P on Barton St, he came in to assist me. He was given the special assignment to watch for people testing (stealing) grapes in the produce department…and he did a fine job. The Manager pleaded with me to escort him to his home”.
Patrick Flynn – Barry may have had some boxing training and maybe that is how he became injured. “He was always happy and kind. I saw him once in a restaurant and he told me “I saw that man take a pudding without paying for it”. That was his manner, honest, forthright, and willing to help. We were just people living in his world.”
Chris Tomlin’s Training Officer, Ed “Doc” Carlstrom introduced him to Barry at Tim Horton’s. Doc said, “Barry was one of the most important people to know on the street and he wasn’t wrong.”
Paul Lawrence – Barry was a regular at the A&P at Barton and Mary when he worked there from 1978-1986. He proudly wore his police button that said, “I do it right”. “He was a kind soul and loved to chat.”
“Barry was a sweet soul and anyone who knew him, was better for it.”
By Dave Bowen, Retired Inspector, Hamilton Police Service
By Pieter Ciere, Retired Staff Sergeant, Hamilton Police Service