Thomas W. Barry

Forestport- Thomas W. Barry, 76, husband of Joan, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, November 1, 2015. Thomas was born on December 28, 1938 in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Michael and Ruth Abrams Barry. At the age of eleven, Tom moved to Forestport to live with his sister Alice and her husband Walter Combs. He attended Forestport High School, until his entry into the United States Air Force on July 25, 1956. Tom was honorably discharged on July 25, 1962. Following his military service he returned home to Forestport. On July 20, 1963 Mr. Barry was united in marriage with Joan Dirnhofer at St. Patrick's Church. Following their marriage the couple settled on School St., where they have since lived. For over 30 years Tom was employed as an electrician at the Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome. He was also well known in the Forestport area for helping out his family and friends with electrical work. Since Tom was 16 years old he was a member of the Forestport Fire Fighters. Through the years he served as Chief, Assistant Chief, and as a first responder with the rescue squad. Tom was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting. Besides his wife Joan, Tom is survived by his children: Michael Barry and Kim Degener, Schenectady; JoAnn Barry, Forestport; Darlene Witt, Jerseyville, IL; Annette Barry and fiance Todd Kuehnhold, Forestport; and Jacquelyn Moran, Boonville; a special granddaughter Brittany DePasquale, who resided with Tom and Joan, grandchildren: James and Thomas Freeman; James, Caleb, Zachary, Blake and Caden Witt, and Robert and Breanna Moran; his siblings Ruth Buchanan and John and Gayle Barry, both of Massachusetts, and Alice Combs, Forestport, and a sister-in-law, Jean Mooney, Forestport. He was predeceased by his siblings Maurice Barry and Catherine Brown. A prayer service will be held on Wednesday November 4, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Patrick's Church, Forestport, where Rev. Thomas I. Ward, pastor will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Forestport. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Church, c/o Christ Our Hope Catholic Community, 108 Charles St. Boonville, NY 13309, or to the Forestport Fire Fighters, Inc. 11965 River Road, Forestport, NY 13338.