JOSEPH P. BARILLARI

I will always regard Joe as someone bigger than life. He was full of enthusiasm - he loved films, he loved to tell stories, he loved food and cooking, he loved his friends and his students. He would give the shirt off his back to a total stranger and, of course, would not ask for anything in return. During my five years teaching in the history department of the University of Maryland Joe was my best friend. I often subbed for him when he was detained elsewhere and could not make it to class....

January 2, 2021

I only found out last night that my dear friend and colleague, Joe Barillari, had died six and a half years ago. We were colleagues in the history department at the University of Maryland back in the late 60s and early 70s, and quickly became best friends. In those days, Joe was larger than life – he loved cooking, especially his Sicilian version of spaghetti Bolognese (which ended up throughout my apartment ); he was a rakish raconteur and consummate wise guy; he...

I'm coming late to this late, but the good professor taught me World History in the fall of 1966 at Maryland. I will never forget the electric atmosphere in his classes. At the end of the semester, the last class before finals, the class gave him a standing ovation. At some point in the future, I'm going to look him up and share my love of cinema, more than 50 years strong.

Sincerest condolences to the family.I took a history course from Prof Barillari at College Park, MD. in 1969 or 1970.He was the most stimulating professor of my 4 years, and probably had much to do with my continuing interest in historical reading.He made you want to know more and understand "why".Jerry Cohen283 Crystal Springs Rd Rockwood TN [email protected]

I was a freshman at University of Maryland in 1965, and Professor Barillari was my professor for a World History course. It was clear from the first day that he was passionate about history and he shared that passion with his students. it's been 50 years since I took his class, but I still remember his enthusiasm and I credit him with developing my love of history.

Joe hired me to be his secretary in 1999. I didn't realize it at the time, but it would be one of the great blessings of my life. Over the course of the 12 years I worked for him, I spent thousands of hours in his presence. It was, to use a favorite term of Joe's, ennobling. If the success or failure of a man's life may be determined by the number and quality of the relationships he has formed during his lifetime, then Joe's life was a spectacular success. Losing a man like Joe in one's life...

What a remarkable man! He gave me my first freelance job when I was a very young, very green graphic designer and I couldn't have asked for a kinder, more invested, more faithful patron. I benefitted so much from his keen insights, artistic sensitivity and loved every zany, hilarious brainstorming session! I am eternally grateful to him. Requiescat in pace.

I've never met anybody like Joe, and if he could hear me say this he would smile and say, “Sorry your luck ran out.” To know Joe was to feel like he was part of your family. He freely offered his candor and trust and love, and I thank him for offering himself as a friend when it was greatly needed by me and my family. He was a gentleman, and he was as close to a wizard as anyone I am ever likely to know.

attended timken hs with Joe always dressed as though he was going to a wedding and always had his camera aim a someone