M. Peter Barry, loving husband to Edith Murphy Barry, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2016 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his devoted family after a short but courageous battle with leukemia. Born on April 8, 1933 in Hartford, CT, the son of the late Margaret and Frank W. Barry, Peter spent his early days in the South End of Hartford where he was a member of St. Augustine Church, attended St. Augustine School and was a member of the Boy’s Brigade. Peter went on to graduate from Bulkeley High School, the College of the Holy Cross, and Georgetown University School of Law. Peter was a long-time resident of Wethersfield and was committed to public service. He was a partner in the law firm Barry, Harvey & Later practicing law for nearly 60 years. He cherished his role as counselor to his clients and their families and actively continued in that role until his passing. Beginning in 1964, Peter was a six year member of the Wethersfield Town Council during which time he served two years as the Town’s first Democratic Mayor. Following his retirement from the Council, he served as a member of the MDC Regional Planning Commission. Peter will be remembered for his friendly smile, warm demeanor and genuine concern for others. He had a passion for books, delighted in political banter, and had an openness to new ideas and experiences. Whether it was swimming in the ocean, skiing in Vermont, or sharing tales of his Irish family heritage, Peter embraced life and loved to share time with his family and friends. His life was inspired by his Catholic faith. As an altar boy at St. Augustine Church he developed a reverence for the Mass and the traditions of the Church that continued throughout his life. In his roles as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, lawyer and friend, his faith was his guiding principle. Of all his accomplishments, Peter was most proud of his family. With his wife Edie, he enjoyed countless hours attending sporting events, school concerts and plays, and was present for all of the special moments in their families’ lives. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan Daley Barry, and leaves behind their 4 children; Michael and Perry Barry, Lynne Barry Dolan, Lisa Barry Fitzpatrick and Paul Fitzpatrick, and Steven and Leah Barry; his grandchildren, Christopher Barry, Jacqui (Justin) Coppa, Lauren and Joseph Denault, Mark, Patrick and Martha Dolan, Matthew, Michael and Brendan Barry, Joseph Fitzpatrick and his beloved granddaughter, Theresa Joan Fitzpatrick, who lost her long and courageous battle with cancer in June 2013. He also leaves behind his extended family of children and grandchildren that he shared with Edie; Debbie and Peter White, their children Melissa (Brian) Callaghan and Christopher (Katie) White; Sharon and Don Knowles and their children Jamie (Daniel) Ramondi, Sarah (Andrew) Hughes, and Hayley Knowles, James Murphy, Jr., Gail and George Cavedon and their children Julia and Alex Cavedon, and Dan and Amy Murphy and their children Kelsey and Nate Murphy, as well as 10 great grandchildren. Peter is survived by his sister-in-law Rita Barry and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Frank Barry and David Barry.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, TODAY September 8, 2016 at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd, Wethersfield. The funeral will be held on Friday September 9, 2016 at 11:15 am from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect St Wethersfield. Burial will be in Marlborough Cemetery, . In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Theresa’s Battleship Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 foundation dedicated to childhood cancer research, 367 Beacon Hill Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410, theresasbattleship.kintera.org. To extend online condolences, or for further information, please visit Farleysullivan.com.