Barry Right Malpass
Deck Dept.

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Barry R. Malpass, a furniture refinisher and war veteran who touched the lives of countless children as a Boy Scout leader for more than 40 years, died of liver cancer on September 14, 2002, at his Frederick Road home near Catonsville. He was 76.

1926: Barry and his identical twin brother, Billy, were born in the city's Reservoir Hill neighborhood.

After completing sixth grade, he and Billy attended vocational school until they were 16.

January 1943: Left school - worked for his father's furniture refinishing business, M.D. Malpass & Sons on Reisterstown Road.

November 1943: Both brothers enlisted in the merchant marine and traveled around the world.

January 1944: Attended Sheepshead Bay (N.Y.) U.S. Maritime Service Training School, with brother Billy.

May 1944: With brother Billy, sailed on "PANAMA CITY," a Hog Islander, on a voyage to Puerto Rico - a cruise for roaches.

September 1944: Joined the Liberty Ship "CHARLES NORTHOFF" to Leghorn, Italy. While anchored offshore they were bombed and straffed by German aircraft, injuring a couple of crewmen.

November 1944: Discharged in Baltimore, with brother Billy.

January 1945: CHARLES CONRAD with brother Billy.

April 1945: THOMAS B REEVE - with brother Billy.

January 1946: WHITE FALCON - with brother Billy.

August 1946: After twenty-four months sea time both brothers left the sea and went back to furniture refinishing.

June 1950: He married his childhood sweetheart, JoAnn, on Father's Day in 1950.

April 1953: Drafted at age 26, Barry went into into U.S. Marine Corps. After basic infantry training on Paris Island and advanced infantry training in California, Barry served in combat with in the Korean War, where he received two Purple Hearts for wounds in the hand and neck in four months of trench combat.

1956: Back to Baltimore where he worked for his father until the store closed in the 1970s. He worked for a variety of furniture stores in the area until his retirement in 1982.

He was a tireless leader in Boy Scouts for more than 40 years, his proudest achievement. A former Boy Scout, Barry held many positions in the Baltimore Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, including Scoutmaster of Troop 700 for disabled children at the Rolling Road School in Catonsville.

1974: He began working with Troop 700 and tried hard to treat the boys the way Scouts would be treated in other troops - although he had had no previous experience working with disabled children. He was most happy in befriending and leading disabled scouts. With his guidance, three in the troop became Eagle Scouts. "He was a natural," sald Bob Dunker, board member and parent of a Scout in Troop 700. "He just related so well to them." Under Mr. Malpass' tutelage, the Scouts performed needed chores and participated in activities with other troops. "It wasn't important to him what was 'wrong' with the children," said his wife. "They were kids and he loved them. They didn't have to be classified as multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy or anything."

1980: For his years of service, Mr. Malpass was given the Silver Beaver award - the highest Scouting honor given to volunteers.

August 1988: Went to a meeting and joined Project Liberty Ship. He was one of the original restorers of the SS JOHN W. BROWN, serving first in the engine room, then the deck department.

Awards:
Purple Heart
Atlantic War Zone Ribbon and Medal
Honorable Service Medal
Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Ribbon and Medal
Merchant Marine Emblem
USCG Honorable Discharge
Victory Ribbon and Medal

Project Liberty Ship: Life Member since 1988 Admiral Life Member since 1999