Richard E. Barley

Richard E. Barley, affectionately known as "Pa", 81, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, departed this life for his eternal resting place in the early morning on July 1, 2025. He peacefully joined our heavenly Father, and embraced his loving wife "Rosie", as he lovingly called her.
Pa, a self-educated man, was born in Eastern Shore, VA., before he migrated to Trenton, NJ with a few friends. Pa began working as groundskeeper for The Mobil Oil Company in Pennington, NJ.
Donned in his suitor hat, on June 7, 1980, Pa married Rosa, "Rosie". She was the absolute love of his life. Pa and his wife were married for 44 years. The two were inseparable since meeting in November 1977, when, then Richard, dialed a wrong number. Together they reared three children Eddie, Johnny, and Olympia Cook as well as opening their home to care for nieces, nephews, and eventually, grands and great grands along the way.
Over time, Pa advanced at Mobil Oil to Supervisor of shipping. In 1990, the company closed the Pennington plant, but offered him a promotion as Head of Shipping along with the opportunity to relocate his family to Kansas City, KS. He accepted the position, and become a true Kansas City Chiefs fan!
Pa worked for Mobil Oil until he retired with 35 years of service, and a perfect attendance record. In 2012, his Rosie became too ill to work, so Pa returned to the workforce to be able to provide health benefits for her. He began working with Mazuma Credit Union until his health declined. Pa was diagnosed with prostate and stomach cancer. Through the grace of God, he was able to transport himself to treatments and chemotherapy all while being Rosie's primary caregiver.
Pa was an avid sportsman who loved to fish and hunt. He would challenge Rosie to cook whatever he brought home, and she did. When he wasn't hunting, fishing or gardening, Pa was home with family. A man of few words, Pa set the example for any advice he gave, a quiet soul whose presence spoke volumes.
Predeceased by his mother, Thelma Barley and his wife, Rosa Barley, Richard leaves his children, Eddie (Linda) Cook, Johnny (Cora) Cook and Olympia Cook; his siblings, Costella Wimbush, Bernice (Joseph) Stone and Henry (Bertha) Barely; his
girls, Zsa Zsa (Gary) Ervin and Lisa (Charles) Wimbush-Newby; his grandchildren, Aleathea (Jonathan) Anderson, Peter I. Cook, Aeisha, (Anthony) Wright, Rana (Edward) Carothers, LaShaun (Robert) Marshall, Arielle Cook, Carrigan Cook, Edward Cook, Jared Cook, Mia Cook and Tristan Stewart, along with a host of great grandchildren, great- great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Richard and Rosa have left a legacy of love filled with cherished memories to be inherited by their family and friends.