Barry Richard Fernbach

1944 - 2021
Barry Richard Fernbach, MD passed away at his home on August 14, 2021. He was 76. Barry practiced medicine for 50 years, specializing in hematology and oncology. The cause of death was cancer.

Barry grew up in Valley Stream, NY with his two brothers, Don and Robert. His father, Harry Fernbach, MD, was an internist in Valley Stream, NY. His mother, Mildred, was an active community volunteer and helped manage her husband's medical practice. Barry graduated from Valley Stream Central High School in 1962, Colgate University in 1967, and Harvard Medical School in 1971. He conducted research at NIH for the Public Health Service and later treated patients and conducted research at Mount Sinai. In 1982 Barry joined Hematology Associates in Ridgewood, NJ and practiced there until it merged with Valley Hospital in 2012, continuing to practice until retirement. Barry was voted a Top Doctor from 2002 to 2014 according to Castle Connolly's peer-review survey.

In addition to his profession and family, Barry enjoyed racing his sailboat, flying his plane, fishing, kayaking, skiing, world travel, opera, jazz, Zydeco, and classical guitar. He was a diligent pianist and guitarist and a loyal benefactor of the Parlance Chamber Concerts. In retirement, Barry pursued golf with the same passion and persistence that he demonstrated in his career and many interests.

Barry will be remembered for his dry wit, gentle demeanor, the many patients that he helped, and the many lives that he touched. He is survived by daughter Naomi Fernbach and her partner Brian Pilapil of Long Island City, NY, daughter and son-in-law Sharonna and Lex Mercer of San Diego, CA, and step-daughter Nicolette Pavlides of Dublin, Ireland.