- K
Barry Perkins has and continues to be a valued and contributing member of the Acton
community for many years. Fire Chief Anita Arnum first met Barry and his identical twin
brother, Allan, while working at Emerson Hospital in the early 1990s. At the time, Chief Arnum
was a paramedic, while Barry and Allan worked in the hospital kitchen. The brothers were well
known throughout the hospital for their friendly demeanor, warm smiles, and enthusiastic waves.
Although both Barry and Allan were deaf and non-verbal, they never allowed those challenges to
define them. They were hardworking, dependable, and highly respected members of the Emerson
Hospital family.
Detective Stackhouse first engaged with Barry approximately two years ago after Barry was
stopped by an Acton Police officer and it was discovered that his automobile insurance had
lapsed. Having known Barry through his many years working at Donelan’s Supermarket,
Detective Stackhouse recognized that Barry was struggling to navigate a complicated situation
made even more difficult by communication barriers. He stepped in to help Barry resolve the
insurance issues and get him back on track.
Sadly, Barry’s brother Allan passed away from cancer in 2012, leaving Barry without his twin
brother, closest companion, and primary source of support. It is believed that Barry has no
remaining immediate family members.
Following his retirement from Emerson Hospital, Barry continued to work full-time at Donelan’s
Supermarket, where he bagged groceries and assisted with a variety of store operations. Barry
became a familiar face to countless residents throughout Acton and neighboring communities.
Always impeccably dressed and taking great pride in his appearance, Barry was known for his
kind heart, infectious smile, and genuine affection for those around him. Whether shopping for
groceries, grabbing a coffee at Dunkin’, or visiting local businesses, people knew Barry and
Barry knew them. He greeted friends and strangers alike with warmth, enthusiasm, and often a
heartfelt hug. Over the years, Barry became much more than a grocery store employee—he
became a beloved member of the community.
Unfortunately, earlier this year, Barry’s circumstances changed dramatically when Donelan’s
was sold and his work hours were significantly reduced. The loss of income quickly created
financial hardships. Communication challenges further complicated matters, making it difficult
for Barry to manage bills, insurance policies, and other important financial obligations. In an
effort to supplement his income, he secured employment at Market Basket in Maynard, but the
transition proved difficult.
As his financial situation worsened, Barry once again fell behind on his automobile insurance,
vehicle payments, and other bills. In February, he was stopped by a police officer in Stow who
was unfamiliar with Barry and the unique challenges he faced. His vehicle was towed and
ultimately repossessed. Suddenly, Barry found himself without transportation, with limited
income, and struggling to meet even his most basic needs.
Desperate for help, Barry was seen standing along Route 2A in Acton holding a simple sign that
read, “HELP.” Acton Police Officer Anna Gonzalez observed Barry and brought him to the
Acton Public Safety Facility in an effort to better understand his circumstances and determine
what assistance could be provided.
When Barry arrived at the Public Safety Facility, Chief Arnum observed him speaking with
officers and immediately went out to assist, recognizing both Barry and the communication
barriers he faced. What became apparent during those conversations was that Barry’s challenges
extended far beyond transportation and finances. Months of compounding hardships had left him
vulnerable and in need of significant support.
Recognizing the complexity of the situation, Acton Community Resources Coordinator Laura
Ducharme became involved, along with Officer Leo Parnell, who is proficient in American Sign
Language (ASL), Detectives Stackhouse, Gower, and numerous other community partners.
Through extensive conversations and assessments, it became clear that Barry required assistance
in multiple areas, including housing, transportation, finances, healthcare, communication
technology, and access to essential services.
What followed was an extraordinary example of community collaboration. Town departments,
community organizations, local businesses, and individual volunteers came together with a
common goal: ensuring that Barry received the support, dignity, and resources he needed to
regain stability and independence. The collective efforts of these individuals represent the very
best of public service, compassion, and community spirit.
To date, community members, volunteers, and town staff have accomplished the following:
• Assisted in improving the safety of Barry’s current residence by reducing clutter, installing
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and coordinating storage space generously provided by a
community member.
• Applied for and secured safe and affordable housing through the Maynard Housing Authority.
• Helped relocate financial accounts to local institutions where Barry could more easily access
services and support.
• Applied for and secured a replacement vehicle through Second Chance Cars.
• Identified and corrected errors in important documents, including inaccuracies on his driver’s
license and other records.
• Obtained a smartphone and iPad to improve communication and access to services, while
continuing to provide training and support in their use.
• Secured a personal emergency response and fall-detection device that Barry can use to summon
assistance when needed.
• Assisted in locating, organizing, and securing important personal and financial documents.
While tremendous progress has been made, there is still work to be done. Current needs include:
• Continued cleaning and organization of Barry’s current apartment and relocation of additional
items to storage.
• Access to medical and dental care.
• Financial assistance to purchase essential household furnishings and supplies for his new
apartment.
• Ongoing support to ensure stable and adequate income.
Barry’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and the power of community. For decades, he
quietly contributed to the lives of those around him through his work ethic, kindness, and
unwavering positivity. Today, the community that Barry has touched for so many years has come
together to support him during a difficult chapter in his life. Their efforts serve as a powerful
reminder that when neighbors, public servants, and community organizations work together,
remarkable things can happen.