Beloved Coach, Educator Needs The Community's Help

BRANFORD, CT —Speaking of thanks. And giving. In just two days, $20,000 has been raised. It’s a very good start.

But if Frank Barron is going to be able to stay in Branford Hills Health Care, where he'll hopefully be able to walk again, more is needed so he doesn't have to hand over his life savings.

The Branford Hall of Fame-winning coach and decades long educator and coach has pancreatic cancer. He’s fighting. But insurance companies are fierce competitors. He wants to win so that he can go on living. They want to win because of their bottom line.

His friend, fellow coach Jim May started a GoFundMe campaign so Barron won’t lose his life savings to pay for the care he needs.

It’s heartbreaking.

Barron has been battling cancer but was recently hospitalized at Branford Hills Health Care but he’s due to be kicked out as his insurance will not cover an extended stay: “Unfortunately, health care is not always there for us in our most devastating times,” writes May, who calls Barron his mentor. “...we cannot let Frank's life's savings dwindle away as he fights his hardest.”

May writes that Barron “needs to be at Branford Hills for at least 30 days to get him walking again, but insurance wants him out much sooner than that, within days of this writing. May says that Barron and his wife Becky “are now looking at and faced with having to pay their life savings in an effort for him to be where he needs to be. This is not right, this is not something we would want our loved ones or ourselves to have to deal with.”

As of this post, more than 170 have donated. Reading the comments from some who have given is a testament to the impact he’s made on countless lives from former students and athletes, fellow coaches, and friends.

“You were one of my most favorite teachers at Daniel Hand HS!! I always have credited you and our English class for helping me to become a fearless public speaker. I still remember our Friday recitations and can still even remember some of the poems by memory. Love and light to you always!! Xoxo”

“This man has done so much for many - teacher, coaching, friend - just one wonderful person - it is only fitting to give back & I do with love.”

“Coach is a great guy and was always so good to my son. We’re all pulling for you, coach!!”

What You Need To Know About Barron, ‘A Truly Respected Player, Coach, & Humanitarian’

That’s how Barron was described when he was inducted in 2018 to the Branford Sports Hall of Fame; as a “truly respected player, coach, and humanitarian.” And the guy who “helped guide” the Branford High School boys’ lacrosse team to a state championship in 2003. Elected to the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2011, Barron’s coaching resume is striking. He “skippered” both football and lacrosse at Daniel Hand High School as the Tigers’ head lacrosse coach for 20 seasons. After, he was an assistant lacrosse coach at Branford High School. Barron “ amassed over 300 victories as a lacrosse coach,” led the Tigers to a Northern Division championship in 1991 and to the state Division I semifinals in both 1991 and 1992.

The Branford Hall of Fame Shared His Storied Career

At Branford, he assisted the Hornets to an SCC league title in 2002, compiling a 12-7 win/loss record. The following season, Branford captured a Division II State Championship in 2003 with a 14-7 record. Making that championship even more exciting, the team faced their rival Amity for the title. During the regular season, both teams split their match-ups but in the state title contest, it was Branford coming out victorious when Vin Bevilacqua put in the winning goal at the 3:44 mark in overtime, crowning the Hornets state champions. Branford also earned state tournament berths in 2004 with a 12-4 overall win/loss regular season record before going undefeated with a 16-0 regular season record in SCC Division I play the following year, followed by two additional playoff berths in 2006 and in 2007 including an appearance in the Class M state championship. He was also the East Team Head Coach at the 1999 US Lacrosse Senior Showcase.

Barron represented Connecticut lacrosse on the national level since 1996 when he succeeded Connecticut Hall of Famer Guy Whitten as the US Lacrosse Area Representative. Frank serves as chairman of the All-American Committee and administers the All-State balloting process. He also served on the CIAC Lacrosse Committee from 1998 until 2009 and continues as an advisor. Frank has been named the Connecticut High School Coach of the Year and was twice selected as the Assistant Coach of the Year. He was also selected as the US Lacrosse Connecticut Man of the Year in 1999.

His Career Is Legend. So Too Is Barron, As A Mentor & Friend.

Barron graduated from East Haven High School in 1968. While earning his bachelor’s degree at Defiance College, he starred on both the football and lacrosse teams. In 1972, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, came home to Connecticut and began teaching at Hand in 1980. In 1987, would earn his master’s from Fairfield University. Barron taught English, and was the advisor for the school paper, The Hand Print. After more than three decades as an educator, Barron retired from teaching in 2013.

“Frank Barron is incredibly loyal and the most generous spirit I know. The least any of us could do to is to help him during the roughest time in his life, and for all that he has done for thousands of students and players in his 48 year career,” May writes.

“Please consider helping us out. No matter how big or how small. Even if you cannot donate, or don't even know Frank, please share this. Chances are someone you love has been impacted by him in some positive way.”

Barron recently appeared on a Vinnie Penn broadcast.

So while the word is getting out about Barron's situation, donations began pouring in but have slowed. Patch hopes that by shining a light, we can help. And with comments like this one on the GoFundMe page, there's a lot of folks who care.

“Frank was a mentor to me in my early years coaching at South Windsor HS. He has always been extremely dedicated to Connecticut lacrosse, and I want him to have the best available care during his recovery…”

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