Richard J. Barry

Obituary (November 3, 1936-September 13, 2009) Richard Barry, Age 72, beloved husband of Marge. Preceded in death by daughter, Therese and Daughter-in-law Christy. Father of Rich Barry, Kathy Meadows, Mary (Bob) Dach, John (Debbie) Barry, Jane (CJ) Dantinne. Grandfather of Brittany, Tyler, Angie, Bethie, Riley, Laurel, Ming, Makayla, Mei, Christopher, Henry, and Luke. Brother of Bill, Ed, Jimmy, Eleanor, Jack and Pat. Visitation and Rosary Thursday, September 17 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel. Funeral Mass Friday, September 18, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Interment Littleton Cemetery. Memorials to Dominican Sisters, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976. Birth Richard John Barry was born Tuesday, November 3, 1936 in Springfield gardens, NY. It was the day of the presidential elections when FDR won. He was born to Eleanor Cecilia(Doran) and William Joseph Florian Barry. His father co-owned a company Edward T Barry & Sons, which bid jobs to replace city blocks and streets in New York. He grew up at 220-38 136th Ave, Springfield Gardens, 13, Long Island, NY. Memories of his youth Richard was the fifth child in his family, his siblings include: Bill, Ed, Jimmy, Eleanor, Jack and Pat. As a child he attended St. Mary Magdalene for grade school where his favorite subject in school was math. He had memories of Air Raid Drills during World War II as a child. Richard and his family took pride in their Irish heritage and would celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Green Beer, good Irish food, and singing Irish tunes, such as Danny Boy and When Irish Eyes are smiling. His favorite time of year was spring, because it always had a sign of new life, with blossoms on the trees, flowers and shrubs growing, planting the gardens, and the longer days. Richard was strongly impacted by the teachings of the Dominican Sisters who educated him from kindergarten through 8th grade. They did an amazing job and helping create the caring man who he became. He was an avid athlete and played baseball and basketball. One of his favorite places to be found during his childhood was on the pitchers mound; he played baseball until he was 18. Richard was a big fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers; his favorite player was Pee Wee Reese, whom Richard thought of as a real team player. He started working as a golf caddy at 14 years old and this resulted in golf becoming one of his passions throughout his life. Wisdom from his Parents A movie that impacted him for life that he first saw as a child with his mother was ""The Song of Bernadette"", resulting in his lifelong devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes and to Saint Bernadette. The best advice he ever received from his father was, ""If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all"" and ""think before you speak."" One of his favorite poems that his mother taught him that stuck with him for life was, ""Don't give up"", by Joyce Kilmer: If you tried and have not won Never stop for crying All that's great and good is done Just by patient trying. Early Adulthood Richard graduated from St. Augustine's High School in 1954, a mere hour and half commute from home. He was in the Navy Reserves from November 3, 1954 to 1962 and was a Construction Battalion Utilities man (Plumber); he was chosen as the class most valuable man out of 400 people by his Reserve peers. Professional Career Richard went to the City College of New York and earned his degree in mechanical engineering. Richard spent his career working as an engineer, primarily in the Aerospace industry. Projects with Bendix and Allied Signal included: Sky-lab, the space shuttle, the space station and the strategic defense initiative. Family Richard met Marjorie Taylor in 1956; they were married on January 31, 1959. They moved in a small apartment in Brooklyn, New York and were blessed with Richard John Barry on October 15, 1959. Richard and Marjorie then moved to New Jersey to be closer to his work. While living there they were blessed with Kathleen Therese on March 22, 1961. Shortly after, they moved to Woburn, Massachusetts, Richard attended MIT for graduate courses in business administration. They were blessed with their third child, Therese Mary Barry, on January 16, 1963. Work again moved the family back to New Jersey, while living there they were blessed with two more children and Mary Elizabeth (October 29. 1964) and John Patrick April 27, 1966. A job transfer resulted in the Barry family moving to Colorado shortly after the birth of John. During this time, Therese had been diagnosed with leukemia and the family was very focused on her care and recovery. Her untimely death came on August 22, 1968. The birth of Jane Therese followed shortly after on March 9, 1969. Richard was an amazing father, he loved his children dearly. He coached baseball for both sons when they were in their youth. Richard was involved in intramural basketball and softball teams with co-workers from Bendix. His children recall the nights Dad would come home from the softball fields with gravel rash on his legs from sliding into third base. Richard spent years traveling on the road for his career, however, he always made time for his nightly phone call home and the amazing family road trips across the country. The camping trips all over the United States are held dear in our hearts. He is also survived by his wonderful sons and daughter in-law: Bob, CJ, and Debbie. As well as 12 beautiful grandchildren: Brittany, Tyler, Angie, Bethie, Riley, Laurel, Ming, Makayla, Mei, Christopher, Henry, and Luke. His grandchildren hold a special place in their hearts for such a kind and loving grandpa, from teaching them about life, how to golf, and the simple pleasure of a bag of jelly beans. Ministry Richard was a very spiritual man. He and Marge had such a strong faith and religious foundation that helped them through many challenging times in their life. His spiritual foundation started when he was a young boy, where he would seek the solitude of the church when he wanted to get peace and quite and away from all the noise in his home. Through his faith, Richard also became an active servant of the lord and his community. Richard retired in 1996 and attended the Christian Bible School shortly after. He was a man who was in constant desire to learn more about his faith and share his learning's with others. At the time of his death, he was an active member at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church and had touched many lives, young and old. He was involved in establishing blood drives, overseeing a variety of projects at his parish, including the Gingerbread Project, Eucharistic minister, praying over the Blessed Sacrament on an ongoing basis, and oversaw the fund-raising and placement of the ten commandments and beatitudes plaque at the entrance to Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Death Richard was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in the spring of 2007. From the day of diagnosis, until his death, he wanted to help be someone that could assist in the eventual discovery of a cure or way to manage the cellular type of cancer that he was stricken with. His family recalls him saying more than once, that ""even if I don't make it through this to a full recovery, if I can help someone else in the future than I have beaten this disease"". Richard will always be remembered in our hearts. He was a selfless man and a servant of the lord. Thank you to our husband, father and friend…your legacy will go on forever