Irving Jay Barrish

Family of Dr. Jay Barrish,
I just heard the sad news today and devasted that my son and I were unable to pay our respects to a fantastic human being. He was a saviour to my son and I. Because of Dr. Barrish, my son is a passionate, caring, thoughtful, fun loving, and beautiful human being and we owe it all to Dr. Barrish. We were so lost until we started seeing Dr. Barrish. I cannot say enough good things about what he did for me and my family. My son loved the picture in his office with...

Jay was the best man I have ever known. He spoke out against things that he did not believe in and he took action also, working hard for many causes. He was also a roll model, a leader and a mentor to so many people. He was so proud of his kids...they were a huge part of his life. He spoke of them all the time. He kept pictures of his family up in his home and office. When I would ask about one, his face would lite up when he talked about his kids. He will be missed every single day. A loss...

Our family started see Jay in 1993 about a year after our daughter was diagnosed with OCD. We had not had much luck with therapy before that. There was an instant connection between Emily and Jay. Things started improving at school and at home. We used to tease him and ask him how it felt to be the “second savior” for our Catholic family. He would just shyly smile and say he was glad he could help Emily help herself. We would walk into his office feeling like we were doing a horrid job...

To the Barrish family: I feel compelled to share my memories of Dr. Barrish with you. In 1980 I was a newlywed struggling with a major exacerbation of my OCD. It was disabling. The psychiatrists seemed helpless to help me. Effective drugs didn't exist. But then I was referred to Jay. We were opposites in nearly every respect. He was Jewish; I was a follower of Jesus. He was a vegetarian; I was a meat-eating dietitian. He was an ACLU supporter; I was a social conserva-tive. However,...

Harriet and Family,

The testimonies on these pages is a tribute to a very special human being who touched so many of our lives. He was a teacher, guide, and life-saver.

I recently reached out to him for help with a project and he was as supportive as the first time I called him when I needed advice on a student thirty years ago.

Jay left an amazing legacy and will be remembered by so many.

May God grant you comfort.

Alan Edelman

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you during these ongoing days when tears and laughter alternately punctuate feelings of loss and the many memories you share of Jay.

Jay touched so many lives in such profound, positive, encouraging, and respectful ways! We at KCA were particularly blessed by his presence and interaction with our students as he donated his time and expertise offering "workshops" that were ever so popular among our students.

And I, as Principal of...

Jay was a very special person. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Brandy and family,

I am so blown away! Seems like just yesterday Jay and I were chatting on the driveway and he was (as usual) making me smile. Your Dad always had such a positive spirit about him and I very much respected him. What an awesome Man! Brandy and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Kelly and my prayers are with you all!

To the Barrish family
I am so sorry for your loss; I know Jay was such a cool guy... a great husband, father, friend, and KU fan! I will have fond memories of his smile. Please know I am thinking of you all during this tough time...
Stacy (Schoenfeld) Curtis