Barry R. McDonough was born in West Roxbury, MA in 1933.  He graduated from St. Sebastian’s School (then in Newton); and obtained his BA from Holy Cross College.  An active alumni, he served as president of the Holy Cross Alumni Association and recipient of the In Hoc Signo Award.  Barry earned his JD from Boston College Law School, and later moved with his wife Diane to Needham in 1962, a town they came to love.

Very active in town, he was Town Meeting Member for 25 years, active on numerous committees throughout his tenure, including serving on and being named Chairman of the Finance Committee.  Barry was also active in Needham Boy Scouts, Needham Little League, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was an active parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church for over 50 years, active in its two schools, and also served as Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee.  Barry received the Archdiocese of Boston Cardinal’s Bishop Cheverus Award for outstanding service to the Church. Barry was a Richard Patton Melick Foundation founder, and served as Board member from 1997 – 2016.

He was Senior Partner at Parker Coulter Daley & White, practicing as a defense trial lawyer and eventually started his own firm, McDonough, Hacking & Lavoie. Barry lectured frequently on a variety of legal topics, and was a respected mediator and arbitrator.  He also served as a Judicial Hearing Officer at the request of our highest court, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Barry retired in 2011, and remained active and compassionate in his service to Needham until passing in 2016.

When he was not engaged in extensive volunteering activities, Barry McDonough was happiest cooking and spending time with his wife Diane and 6 children, 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

With great pride, and appreciation the Richard Patton Melick Foundation recognizes his many contributions to our town, and posthumously awards him the 2019 Melick Award.