Bernard John Barry

Barry, Bernard John,  “Bernie”

Bernie died peacefully at home in his waterfront Pompano Beach condo on August 28, 2019.  He was born on October 25, 1940, in Jersey City, New Jersey and is predeceased by his parents Bernetta and Patrick Barry and his only sibling Patrick Barry. He was the loving brother-in-law of Charlotte and uncle of nephews and nieces, Patrick, Brendan, Amanda, Adrienne, and Noel Barry and grandnieces and nephew, Bridget and Josephine Barry and Campbell and Declan O’Neal. He was raised in a large extended Irish family and is survived by numerous cousins.

Bernie lived on Cape Cod for many years and was the successful owner of the Old Kemah Tavern in Harwich Port. Bernie attended St. Aloysius Elementary School, where he was an Altar Boy, St. Peter’s Prep, and was a 1965 graduate of St. Peter’s College. Bernie was a US Army medic and veteran.

Bernie had a rare magnetic, authentic, and charismatic personality and during his life maintained friendships from his school days as well as the many friends, he made as an adult and kept over his lifetime.  He was an avid sportsman who loved skiing, handball, and boxing, and was proud of a daily workout routine that included numerous push-ups.  He rode a motorcycle, backpacked across Europe, sailed the French Canals with his brother, and was fearless in his pursuits. He was a gracious host at the Old Kemah and worked alongside his nephews Patrick and Brendan as well as other relatives employed as summer help. Bernie always had a great story to tell and never left home without his Lacoste “croc.”

Bernie will be remembered for his humor, smile, energy, loyalty, great storytelling, and his willingness to try anything. He was always fun to be with and as one friend said at hearing of his death, “he left a hole in the universe.”  Seamus, a cousin from Ireland, offered this prayer: “Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis, May his loyal soul be at the right hand side of God.”

A Celebration of Life at his Irish Wake will follow.

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