Alan Barile

Alan Scott Barile, 63, originally of Lynn, MA, passed away peacefully at Brigham and Womens Hospital, with his wife, Nancy, at his side, on April 6, 2025. Born on October 4, 1961, Al was the much-loved and spoiled child of his parents, Aldo and Betty Barile, whom he adored. As a child, Al enjoyed performing daredevil stunts on his bike with his friends, making Dracula movies, and wreaking havoc. He loved playing sports, especially hockey, and he was fiercely devoted to his Boston sports teams. In high school, Al was on the ice hockey and golf teams and was a member of the Audio-Visual Club and National Honor Society.
A huge music fan, Al grew up listening to AC/DC, Van Halen, and Cheap Trick. Rick Nielsen was Als guitar hero. After hearing the Ramones, Al decided to put down his hockey stick and pick up a guitar. With Jaime Sciarappa, Chris Foley, and Springa, he created Society System Decontrol (SSD). After learning about straight edge, a term coined in a song by Ian MacKaye of the band Minor Threat, Al became a strong proponent of straight edge, embracing the no drinking/no drugs coda that provided kids with a CHOICE from the typical 70s suburban party lifestyle. Al worked to build a hardcore scene in Boston, one that featured all ages shows. The loyal supporters of SSD, called the Boston Crew, remained Als lifelong friends. SSD played throughout the U.S., and in Montreal and Quebec City. The band made its mark on music history, with bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Fu Manchu wearing SSD tees on stage and citing the band as an influence. Al and SSD were thrilled when Trust Records re-issued the SSD catalogue beginning in 2023.
In the 1990s, Al decided to create another band, and Gage was born. Al played bass in Gage, and the bands strong songwriting quickly helped them develop a dedicated following, especially in the greater Boston area, where they played the Warped Tour several times and nearly every Boston music venue.
After high school, Al began working as a machinist at General Electric. Within a few years, he decided to become an engineer and attended Northeastern University, where he received his bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. Als brilliant mind and way of approaching issues, made him an innovative and highly successful engineer. Al worked for G.E. for 35 years, until back issues, which the company would not accommodate, forced him to retire on disability.
Through SSD, Al met the love of his life, Nancy, when she bought the SS Decontrol record in Philadelphia, and called Al, hoping to book the band into a show she was promoting in Philly. Nancy and Al were together 43 years, and their support of each other was legendary.
The friendships Al made in his life were so important to him, especially the ones he had with his band mates, Jaime Sciarappa and Chris Foley. It was Als almost lifelong friendship with his childhood friend, Scott Brown, that truly sustained Al when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022. Scotts devotion to Al, taking Al to chemotherapy appointments, and never leaving his side when he was hospitalized, was remarkable and so appreciated by both Al and Nancy. Al chronicled his journey with colon cancer on social media, urging his followers to get colonoscopies and to be proactive about their health.
Al was predeceased by his father, Aldo, his mother Pearl (Betty), and his beagle, Flippy. Nancy takes comfort in knowing that Flippy and Al are now reunited. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Alan, please visit our Tree Store.