Judge Robert Barton, a legend who – quite literally – held court for decades in Lowell and presided over some of the most famous criminal cases in Middlesex County was feted by his peers during a ceremony unveiling a portrait of the late Jurist this past week.

Barton passed away in May, just two weeks shy of his 92^nd birthday.

On Thursday, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan brought together dozens of the people whose lives Barton touched – both personally, and in his courtroom to celebrate his career.  The packed room at the DA’s Woburn office, where Barton’s portrait will now hang, included a veritable who’s who of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges from across the state of Massachusetts, along with members of Barton’s family, including his son Stephen Barton, himself a former ADA, who delivered the closing remarks.

Anyone who followed Lowell courtroom cases knew of Barton, whose penchant for skillful media relations along with impeccable courtroom decorum, was renown throughout Middlesex County, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1978, Barton, a tough-as-nails former Marine, was nominated for a Superior Court judgeship by Governor Michael Dukakis.  He went on to serve for 22 years in that capacity, sitting primarily in Suffolk, Middlesex and Essex Counties, and presiding over more than 150 high-profile trials, dozens of them being first-degree murder trials.

Former Lowell Police Superintendent and Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis sent remarks that focused on Barton’s compassion for the victims of the crimes that found their way into his courtroom.

“Whether it be the victims themselves that had to face down their attackers or offenders, or the families of those whose lives were taken by senseless violence and had to offer a victim’s impact statement on their behalf, Judge Barton always made sure to show those people a tremendous amount of compassion that would help make the process feel just a little less intimidating and difficult,” said Davis, who testified before Barton on multiple cases.

Judge Barton had a reputation for providing all litigants a fair and impartial trial, and he was a stickler for courtroom etiquette.

Many of the speakers in front of Thursday night’s gathering at the District Attorney’s office couldn’t help but reference some of the highest profile cases that rocked Middlesex County during the 1980s – the triple murder trial of Townsend murderer Daniel Laplante, and the notorious 1988 slaying of well-known Lowell crime figure John R. “Jackie” McDermott.

Retired Massachusetts State Police Colonel Mark Delaney, who paired his remarks with comments delivered from retired State Police Lt. Robert Long, both said Barton delivered a dramatic exclamation point to the sentencing of Laplante, ensuring the killer would serve three consecutive life sentences for the grisly December, 1987 killings.  Former District Attorney Tom Reilly, who prosecuted Laplante, was in attendance as well.

Long said he was either a witness or had a front row seat for many of Barton’s biggest case.

“The energy he displayed when he walked into a courtroom was contagious,” Long said. “He would calmly sit back, allowing gladiators on both sides of the aisle show off their skills, while trying to win favor with the jurors.  But I don’t believe anyone, from defendants, defense counsels, or prosecutors, who ever thought they didn’t get a fair shake in front of Judge Barton.”

Even off the bench, Barton would hold court sharing a sandwich with the lunchtime crowd at the former Hynes Tavern, located about a block away from the superior courthouse.

After his retirement, the affable and extremely quotable Judge Barton was a frequent commentator on local and national news outlets, where he opined on high-profile trials and criminal justice issues.

Barton was appointed an Assistant DA in Middlesex County in 1959.  After leaving the DA’s office, he joined the law office of F. Lee Bailey, and assisted in the representation of Albert DeSalvo, the purported Boston Strangler.

He eventually settled in Bedford, raising his sons there.  He coached youth sports and served two terms as a Bedford selectman, and then five years as Bedford Town Moderator.

Bedford State Representative Ken Gordon said it was Barton who convinced a fresh-out-of-law-school student to make his home in Bedford.

“I told him I was looking to buy a house in the area, and he said, why not Bedford, it has so much to offer,” Gordon recalled.  “I checked the town out and very quickly and easily realized why he loved it so much and was passionate for others to feel the pride as well.  I’m honored to have made it my home as well, it’s a special place.”

Barton spent more than 10 years as a Trustee at Middlesex Community College, and then upon leaving that board, joined the college’s Foundation Board, helping to raise money for student scholarships since 2015.  While a selectman, Barton actually helped cut the ribbon to officially open MCC in Bedford in 1970.

MCC President Phil Sisson, also in attendance at the DA’s event, said Barton appreciated staying connected with the college, and was particularly passionate about making sure money made it into the hands of students, especially during times of highest need.

“Even when he was participating at Foundation board meetings remotely via zoom during the pandemic, Judge Barton always wanted to ensure that students would be taken care of, he saw that as his highest responsibility on the Foundation,” Sisson said.

Contributions in Barton’s memory can be made to the Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest St. Boston, MA 02135 or Middlesex Community College, MCC Foundation, P.O. Box 8681, Lowell, MA 01852.