He was born on Feb. 24, 1946, in Marabella, Trinidad and Tobago to the late Reginald Barrington and Alice Ransome Barrington. He immigrated from the island nation in 1970, first to St. Croix Virgin Islands, and then to the mainland United States. Mervyn spent time working in Texas, Wyoming, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., before putting down roots in Maryland.
He was a dashing master welder and a lifelong member of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry and Steamfitters Local Union 602, of Washington, D.C., for 47 years.
As a pipefitter and welder, Mervyn worked on the construction and expansion of D.C.’s most iconic government buildings. He was a laid-back, old car enthusiast who loved music and laughter which was infectious to those who had the privilege to know him. He was an avid painter of landscapes, wrote children’s stories, closely followed football, basketball, soccer, and tennis; and had a robust understanding of a broad range of topics as he took a keen interest in politics, movies, and travel. Mervyn loved pets and over the years, he added a menagerie of dogs, cats, and birds to his family.
In his spare time and younger years, Mervyn competed in several soccer leagues in Trinidad and the United States, loved to play tennis, and restored old cars, such as his 1971 Pontiac Lemans and 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. He enjoyed a “good lime” and attended and participated in many of the Caribbean Carnivals in New York, Toronto, Boston, DC, Baltimore, New Jersey, and Norfolk and was a life-long member of Roots & Culture Promotions Carnival Band. His album collection, with an eclectic mix of Soca, R&B, Reggae, Pop, and country music, could rival any record store.
Post-retirement, Mervyn painted vibrant landscapes in acrylic and enjoyed several road trips across the United States and cruises around the Caribbean with his family. Additionally, Mervyn and his wife, Beatrice, were non-relative caregivers to four siblings.
Above all, Mervyn was a man of integrity, filled with humility and grace, who loved the Lord. He was a member of Morningside Church in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and supported Christian missionaries in Trinidad, Guyana, Anguilla, and Florida. His favorite phrase was “everything is gonna be alright” which complements his favorite scripture, Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” He did not have many regrets in life and checked off most items on his bucket list. He, unfortunately, never made a trip to Africa nor saw Serena Williams play in person as he desired.
Mervyn was preceded in death by his parents (Reginald & Alice) and two siblings; (Lloyd and Jennifer). He is survived by his loving wife, Beatrice Barrington; his ex-wife, Janet Julien Barrington, his children, Cheryl-Ann, Kim, Cynthia, Rosanna, Karissa, Shawn, Turina, and Justice. His grandchildren, Lauren, Leila, Zola, William, Kaiden, and Skye. His siblings; Christopher, Carl, George, Joan, Leonard, Russell, Kenneth, Joyce, Ratu, Deborah, Keith, Donna, Ronald, and Paula. His Uncle Arnold; Aunts: Irene, Lorna, and Yvonne; several brothers in law, sisters in law, host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mervyn will also be survived by Srinthia, Alexander, Darius, and Lamar, for which he was a caregiver.
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