The Father of the Navy
by Vince Daliessio
...and a most remarkable man. 
Commodore John Barry, born in Ireland, son of a poor tenant farmer, moved to the Colonies in 1766 to become a famous merchant seaman, and, with the coming of war, a skilled naval commander as well.
Despite the credit that John Paul Jones (not the Led Zeppelin bass player) gets for founding the US Navy, Jones really was quite unsuccessful in his efforts, while "Big John" Barry ( he stood 6'4") formed the foundation of the Navy as we know it today (use your own judgement on how good that accomplishment is).
Barry died in 1803 at age 58, after a celebrated life of achievement from, of all things, complications from asthma, which he had had all his life. Hard to imagine, in this era where many believe asthma precludes the possibility of a vigorous life.
So next time you travel across the Commodore Barry Bridge, just remember that it is named in honor of a man who just didn't know the meaning of the word "can't";
