Former Kilrea Parish Rector is laid to rest

For the past 22 years, he had been Rector of the parishes of Fahan Upper and Lower in the Buncrana area.

Previously, the highly respected clergyman had served in the Parish of Kilrea and Aghadowey, where he retained many friends over the years.

The very large number of mourners at his funeral on Sunday, May 4 was testimony to the impact Canon Barton had, not just on his own community of worshippers, but also on the much wider community, where he was much loved.

Among those attending was SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat, who in a letter to Bishop Ken Good, said: “When Reverend Sam Barton left Kilrea 22 years ago, we inherited a legacy of goodwill and Christian values which many of us have survived on since.

“Life then wasn’t easy; there were tensions, fear hurt and misunderstanding.

“Sam continued to stretch out the hand of friendship, undeterred by those who lacked his vision.

“In the days ahead, we will continue to pray for him, his wife Sandra and their son Nial, as they try to come to terms with the fact that they have lost a husband and father, while the wider community in Buncrana and indeed Kilrea have lost one of the greatest and most clergymen in modern times.”