The local community has been left reeling after the premier confirmed the death of Barry Urban on Sunday, three months after a brutal attack at his workplace in Kelmscott.
After serving time in prison for forging documents and misleading state parliament and his Darling Range constituents, Barry Urban was making a fresh start at life as the manager at Tyre Brigade.
According to several online reviews, he was “an absolute legend” in his new role who would go “above and beyond” to help customers.
But Barry Urban’s new chapter has tragically been cut short.
Mr Urban suffered a severe brain injury after allegedly being assaulted by a disgruntled customer shortly after opening the shop on November 26 last year.
A 25-year-old man from Seville Grove, Jerry Aniseto Masipau, was arrested by Armadale detectives who allege he got into a heated argument with Mr Urban, before punching him in the head, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.
According to police, a 19-year-old colleague tried to come to Mr Urban’s aid and was nearly run over by the accused as he was fleeing the scene.
Mr Masipau was initially charged with grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, common assault, having no authority to drive, and reckless driving.
Mr Urban, who was 55-years-old at the time, was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with critical head injuries, including a fractured skull, and placed in an induced coma.
“Barry was the subject of a dreadfully violent attack in the workplace and has been fighting for his life ever since,” Premier Cook said on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries….my heart just goes out to his family and friends today.”
Police confirmed with The Examiner on Tuesday that they have now upgraded the charge to manslaughter and Mr Masipau is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court this Sunday.
More than enough column inches have been dedicated to denigrating Mr Urban’s character and dredging up his past mistakes (which are admittedly numerous).
The Examiner has chosen to instead focus on the man who many in our community choose to remember with great fondness.
In this local consciousness, he was a loving father, a firm friend, a mentor to many, a passionate advocate for people living with epilepsy, an advocate for victims of crime, a devoted soccer coach, and a champion for local youth.
“An absolutely great man who died way too young. He was a mentor to our boys years ago. RIP Barry,” Susan Johnstone said.
“My condolences to Barry’s family. Fond memories of him coaching the local kids’ soccer for the faction carnivals.” Denise Mercer said.
“A man who had a controversial past, but bravely stood in Parliament with true care, at a time when he was in a position of power, to acknowledge the more than 24,000 West Australians living with epilepsy and to plead for a fair go for Epilepsy Warriors and their families,” Epilepsy WA said.
“After knowing what he did for his community and charities, it’s hard to conclude anything but that he was a good dude who obviously made some mistakes,” Pat Lennox said.
“My sincere condolences to his family. My heart breaks to hear he has passed. The time I’ve known him. He was a good man to his community, friends and a loving father. Media are heartless to call him a ‘disgrace’,” Charity Harrison said.
“He deserves to be known for the good he did in people’s lives.”
“R.I.P Barry, our deepest condolences to his son. Only spoke to you a week before this terrible assault…you telling me that you were finally getting your life back on track. You were always a funny fella [and] we always had a great chat. Gone too young. Rest in paradise, Barry,” Nicky Ennis-Bedford said.
Before taking a tilt at state politics, Mr Urban was a popular councillor for the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
Former SJ Shire president and colleague Michelle Rich said she has been deeply impacted by the loss.
“Barry Urban was my friend,” she said. “The man I knew had a genuine will to help people; to improve the lives of others.
“He gave freely of his time to many community groups and always supported the everyday people, our community members.
“He achieved many important outcomes for Jarrahdale, the community he loved, and the wider SJ community, that will bring positive benefits for years to come without many even realising Barry’s input.
“He was not perfect, nor did he profess to be.
“It is devastating to lose anyone in this way and much harder when it is a friend.
“I hope you have found peace. Rest easy my friend.”
While his time in state parliament was cut short by his own failings, he will always be the first Labor member to win Darling Range which he did in the 2017 state election, unseating Liberal incumbent Tony Simpson with a massive two-party preferred swing of 18.9 percent.
And some of his parliamentary colleagues are stepping forward to remember his better nature too.
Premier Roger Cook described Mr Urban as “a very jovial guy, a very likeable guy”, but “someone who had his troubles”.
“None of us are perfect,” Mr Cook said. “But he was part of the WA Labor family so we’re very sad for him and his family today.”
“Barry is a former colleague of mine, I knew him during his time in Parliament,” Darren West MLC said. “Whilst he had his flaws, I found Barry to be courteous and kind, showing a genuine interest in what was happening at the farm. I’ll remember him most for that.” “Agreed Darren. Thinking of Barry’s family and friends at this sad time,” outgoing Labor Minister David Templeman said.
“My thoughts are with Barry’s family during this difficult time. It’s deeply saddening how the final chapter of his life unfolded,” Member for Armadale Tony Buti said.
And those in the local auto community have also expressed their disbelief at the loss of their colleague.
“L&K Auto Services are feeling the loss of this amazing fellow, and dear friend,” Lisa Marie Polwarth said.
“Saddened to hear Barry lost his fight. RIP. He was always great to deal with and super helpful. He was trying to get his life back on track [which was] tragically cut short,” Armadale Auto Parts said.
Vale Barry Urban.
