Francis J. Barry

Francis J. Barry
Chicopee
Francis J. Barry, 86, of Chicopee, died Monday, Feb.10, leaving this world in peace following a lifetime of sharing his love, compassion and generosity with family and friends. Barry was a lifetime resident of Chicopee, a 1944 graduate of Cathedral High School, and a US Army veteran. He began working at the US Postal Service after high school graduation, and returned to the Post Office following his service in the Army for a long and satisfying career, primarily as a letter carrier in Springfield. He ended his career at the East Longmeadow Post Office. To many patrons of area package stores, he was the welcoming, friendly smile always ready with a quip or two with which to greet them. Following retirement from the Post Office, he continued his package store work, where he found the friendly interaction which was the fuel that ran his emotional engine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Shea Barry. He is survived by five children: Sheila Barry Muench and her husband, Joe, El Paso, TX; Kevin J and his wife Barbara, Austin, TX; Dennis, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Lisa Barry Mathews and her husband John, Belvedere, CA; and Jodie Barry York and her husband James, Las Cruces, NM. Barry had 14 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by four siblings, all still living in the Springfield area. They are Margaret Barry Scagliarini, Chicopee; Paul and his wife Pat, Enfield, CT; James, Longmeadow; Marion Barry Caproni and her husband Joe, Chicopee. He is also survived by loving long-time companion Gladys Nestor of Chicopee and her family, to whom "Frank" was a father and grandfather. He had a special place in his heart for Melissa Nestor Lonczak who paid such special attention and provided support up to the day he left this world. Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee. Family and friends are invited to gather at 9:30 a.m. on Friday for the Liturgy of Christian Burial to be held in Our Lady's Chapel on the Elms College campus, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee with Fr. Mark Stelzer presiding. An internment service with military honors will follow at 11 a.m. at the Veterans' Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Francis be remembered with a donation supporting the Patient Activities Fund at Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Visit www.corridanfuneral.com