Barry W. Hurff

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Barry Wallace Hurff on December 16, 2024, at the age of 82. He passed with his wife and sons at his bedside. Barry was born on September 18, 1942 in Elmer, New Jersey, to Wallace and Helen Hurff. He is predeceased by his sister, Duane Kay Hurff Smith. In his youth, he lived in Pole Tavern and at Camp Roosevelt where his father was the camp manager. He often recalled attending Daretown School.
Married to his beloved wife, Janice, of 47 years, the two enjoyed travel to the western regions of the U.S., following the lesser known roads to view landscapes while exploring history. Both he and his wife never shied away from an adventure, including riding in cattle drives or investigating back-country trails. Still, his greatest pleasure was in watching his two sons and their families follow their own dreams, often referring to them as the gems of his life. In his youth, he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, before transferring to Lake City College (now Gateway College) with a degree in forestry.
Barry worked, for nearly 40 years, at ExxonMobil Research and Development. As a proud member of the team of researchers, he boasted of his part in the development of Mobil 1 oil. After retiring, he continued to work at Home Depot for ten years. Then after a brief move to Delaware, he and his wife, Janice, moved to Georgia to be closer to family, which situated him amid forests and mountains he so loved. His valiant, yet weak heart, was no match for the vicious brain tumor that quickly took him away, where he no longer is in pain and his hearing has been restored with God's hand.
Barry held a wide range of interests that included: panning for gold, working in the yard, studying family history, or finding new projects in the house. He also loved cooking, always finding new recipes. A fan of baseball and football, he could often be seen watching a Phillies or Eagles game. He also loved to attend little league in Maryland where his grandson, Ryan, played.
Barry's kindness toward others was demonstrated in his willingness to help wherever he could. While his physical heart grew weak, his true heart was large. There simply wasn't anything he wouldn't do for friends or family. In addition, he was a loyal supporter of both Ranch Hope and Virginia Tech Engineering programs.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Janice (nee Olnhausen), his children, Matthew (Jennifer) and Jonathan (Elizabeth), and his sweet grandchildren; Abigail, Ryan, Emily, and Olivia.
The Memorial Service for Barry Hurff will be on April 10, 2025 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home 47 Main Street Mantua, N.J. Military Honors at 1:00pm. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation or National Brain Tumor Society for continuing research.
Memories and condolences can be made here at www.smithfhmantua.com.