Barry Mingo passed away on Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 45.
Along with a history of radio broadcasting with Big Dog 100.9, Mingo spent a year as the executive director of the Cyber Internet Safety Society trying to bring a cyberbullying project initiated by the Truro Police Service to others in the province.
“Barry and I both shared the same vision in that the Cyber program could make a difference,” said Jon Keddy, who worked with Mingo during a three-year span. “Barry wanted to go above and beyond to, essentially, make a difference and to help create change.”
Keddy described Mingo as a “bubbly” and “sincere” man, who believed change was needed.
“And he believed that we could be a part of the whole national and international issue,” said Keddy.
Although he didn’t work with Mingo, Truro Police Service Chief Dave MacNeil said he was a “great friend” to the service.
“He was very talented and passionate,” said the chief. “He was all around a good fella.”
Mingo began his radio career in the 1990s and was a member of the Big Dog 100.9 on-air team, followed by a stint with the sales department.
He left radio broadcasting for 17 years, but returned to the waves last year.
Mingo began writing a column for the Truro Daily News in March 2013, featuring the Truro Centurions Swim Club, of which his three children were members. He served as president of the club for three years, but was involved with the club for six in total.
When it came to the Cyber Internet Safety Society, Mingo was named executive director in October 2012, but the doors closed a year later due to funding issues.
“He was very creative,” Keddy said. “He was able to speak in a language that kids could understand and he played the character well, which he enjoyed. When you have a job that you enjoy, it makes it a better job.”
Keddy said he and Mingo worked well as a team on the society, which also included fellow constable Todd Taylor and Wayne Talbot.
“Unfortunately, (the society) didn’t transpire, and with his passing, it’s sad on both ends. He was really instrumental in the growth of the Cyber program,” Keddy added.
Twitter: @TDNRaissa
