OBITUARY William G. Barry Jr. May 24, 1927 – October 5, 2018 William G. Barry, a respected former FBI agent and security expert, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on October 5, 2018. He was 91 years old. Mr. Barry is survived by his wife of 68 wonderful years, Mary Lou Barry, their seven children and spouses: Bill, Maureen (James Grande), Brian, Steve (Carol Barry), Matthew (Jean Barry), Patrick (Sheri Barry) and Kate (James Speckenbach).
Bill had fourteen loving grandchildren, Kim (George Bradford), Brian, Michael, Jackie (fiancé Ian Muchanic), Amanda, Matthew, James, Mary Kate, Caroline, Billy, Tara, Catherine, Bobby, and Susan. Bill is also survived by his sister Joan Cregg of Brooklyn and a large and close-knit extended family. Bill was a friend and confidant to leaders of business, government and sports but most important he was a family man.
He was born on May 24, 1927 to Violet and William G. Barry in Brooklyn, New York. He joined the Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 and served in World War II. He attended Kent State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and met the love of his life and future wife, Mary Lou Smith.
After graduating college, he worked as a New York City police officer. He then became a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he worked in the bank robbery and counter espionage squads. While in the FBI he met and worked with United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
Bill and Mary Lou moved to New City, New York in 1960 where they raised their seven children. Over the years, Bill held positions as Chairman of the New York State Racing Commission, President of Smith and Wesson Consulting, Vice President of Bankers Trust and Franklin National Bank, and Officer of the Reliance Group Insurance Company. He operated an international security consulting business for many years.
Bill loved books, movies, music, travel and was an avid sports enthusiast. He was a boxer in the Navy and a championship handball player in New York City. He taught and coached his children through the years in a variety of sports.
He loved Notre Dame football, the New York Giants and the Yankees. Above all, Bill loved his wife, family and friends. He treasured the memories of countless summers spent at Long Beach Island with his wife, children and grandchildren.
He and Mary hosted a legendary Fourth of July gathering for over forty years that included close to 100 family members at his home. One of his favorite traditions was the annual St. Patrick’s Day lunch at Neary’s in NYC with his family to celebrate his Irish heritage. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, October 9 at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home in New City, New York from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 10 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack, New York.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Concern Worldwide (U.S.), a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to reducing suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty.
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