Lifelong athlete, musician and car enthusiast
LYNNFIELD — Dennis P. Barry, 74, of Lynnfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and his beloved dog, Teddy, on Friday, May 1, 2015.
Born in Boston on Sept. 28, 1940, he was the son of the late Joseph F. and Janet C. (Pigeon) Barry.
Mr. Barry was raised in East Boston and Saugus and was a graduate of Saugus High School, class of 1958. He went on to attend Northeastern University and then graduated from Coyne Institute. He was a retired regional sales manager for Donaldson, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn. He also had retired after 25 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
Mr. Barry was the beloved husband of Judith U. (Allen) Barry of Lynnfield. He was the loving father of Kristine J.B. Daniel and her husband Craig of Sudbury and Kathryn J. Barry of Boston. He was the brother of Judith Konieczny and her husband Edward of California and Linda Kling and her husband Nils of New Hampshire. He was the grandfather of his two little buddies, Owen and Peter.
A lifelong athlete, Dennis played on the Saugus High School and Northeastern University football teams. He was an original member of the Lynnfield Men’s Softball League and played for 30 years. Go Green Team! On most weeknights he could be found competing in tennis and volleyball matches with close friends. He cherished his time on the baseball diamond, as a coach, playing first base or going to Fenway Park with his grandsons.
Throughout his life, music and cars brought Dennis joy. He played many instruments by ear, including the piano, the banjo and the accordion. In his younger years he raced cars and developed a passion for German automobiles. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of car specifications and styling.
Dennis will always be remembered as one of the “good guys.” He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield at 10 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to: Northeastanimalshelter.org or to Pulmonaryfibrosis.org.
