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William Barry Obituary
Born: April 21, 1919 in Akron, Ohio; Ordained a Priest: May 28, 1944; Appointed Pastor of OLA: August 3, 1963; Actively Retired: August 1, 1994; Died: March 18, 2007
"I have had a fabulous life," Monsignor William J. Barry once said with all the enthusiasm, expansive gratitude, and humorous exaggeration that were his hallmark. The popular pastor and community leader, who retired in 1994 after shepherding the Catholic community of Our Lady of the Assumption in Claremont for 31 years, died quietly overnight at his Newport Beach house on March 18 at the age of 87 years. Monsignor Barry leaves behind two families: the one he grew up with and cherished in private moments away from his official responsibilities, and the thriving, growing Catholic parish he called "The OLA Family." He was the middle of five brothers -Bob, Dave, Bill, Ted and Jack - who were raised by their aunt, Bess Scotton, and grew up with her daughter, Betty Wright. He is survived by one brother, David Barry, two-sisters-in-law, Mary and Lorna Barry, as well as numerous nieces/nephews and grandnieces/nephews whom he baptized and influenced greatly. The Catholic community that has now grown to 4,700 families from the 1,200 he first met in 1963 still bears the stamp of his legendary hospitality, compassion for those in need, commitment to education, and joyful celebration of God's presence. Throughout his priestly life, Msgr. Barry also enjoyed universal respect among his fellow clergy within the Catholic Church, and among religious leaders of other faiths and Christian traditions in Southern California. Friend to both the powerful and the poor who felt his positive impact, he was honored at last December's City of Angel's Christmas Gala hosted by Catholic Charities of Los Angeles for his many years of service for that organization as well as the Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity and the Campaign for Human Development. Among his many offices, he was elected the first president of the Senate of Priests of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and president of the Inter-religious Council of Southern California that provided services for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1988, Monsignor Barry was honored by Pope John Paul II with the title of Protonotary Apostolic.
The funeral Mass for Monsignor William J. Barry, pastor emeritus at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, will be Friday, March 23 at 11 a.m. with Cardinal Roger Mahony presiding. The church is located at 435 Berkeley Ave. in Claremont. A reception on the lawn will follow the service. A Rosary Vigil is planned from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, followed by a Vietnamese prayer service, and then all-night visitation in the church. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for visitation before the vigil. In addition, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the church followed by a reception in the parish auditorium.
Friends are asked to make donations in memory of Msgr. Barry to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles or the Building Fund at Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Barry
Armando Reta classs of 1956 St Marys School/Church, ELA
March 15, 2025
I'm Armando Reta, met then Fr.Berry in the late 1940's I believe he gave me my 1st Hly comm at St. Marys church in ELA, CA, 4th & Chi.St. He was a saint then and in my book always was. I watched a classmate, taught tutored and guided and fast forwarding went to HIS ordination, he became a priest because of Fr.
Berrys mentering. I'm 83 years old and will pray my dying words will be, "Please, Fr.Berry, Fr. Alejandro Magallanes, please pray for all those who desperately need intervention.......and your faithful and humble servent. God bless you both even from the side of God.
Armando Reta
March 15, 2019
Was this priest also stationed at "St. Mary's Church on the corner of 4th and Chicago Streets in East Los Angeles with Hollandbeck park a block away behind the church in the mid 1940's? I'd started grade school in them days and he if this is him was the greatest saint of a priest that ever lived. I came from a family of 9 plus my awesome parents and we as a family and the whole parish thought the same thing about him. Please let me know ASAP as my family and I and a ton of others would like to know. In advance thank you for your time and attention to this my plight. Armando Reta and Family.
Lloyd Rochambeau
August 30, 2018
MY "neighbor" (Claremont Manor) and fellow Rotatian, was a good friend and I was privileged to have known him.
Jim and Kathy Mc Ewan Sr.
January 3, 2017
The Mc Ewan family will miss you very much,Monsignor Barry. THANK you for all your kindness and love over all the years. I will be forever thankful that you were in our lives. You officiated at Peggy and Tim's wedding and Kathy and my wedding! What a great friend you will forever be . We love you! Jim and Kathy Mc Ewan Sr.
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Gary Perotin
March 26, 2007
Requiescat in pacem
Lynn and Doris Woodward
March 26, 2007
Monsignor Barry will remain in our prayers, he was so special to the entire Woodward Family. A good friend for sixty years.
I remember he once told me, "The happiest day of our life is the day we die".
Our love and prayers and many fond memories,
Jill Lindsay
March 25, 2007
Father Barry was my neighbor and friend for over 23 years. I will always remember that twinkle in those sparkling blue eyes and his spirit of goodness when he entered a room.
He was such an extraordinary example of kindness.
He also had such a gift for self-depreciating humor. At our annual community association meetings, he had become masterful and sleeping straight up. When I asked him one evening, after a particularly long meeting, if he had learned that technique sitting through other's sermons - he simply laughed at me. But never did answer my question.
At his retirment dinner, I asked him what he planned to do with all his free time. Without missing a beat, he said,
"I think I'lll get married." The most unexpected and delightful example of this extraordinary man of faith.
Father Bill always signed his Christmas cards to me ... "Remember, Jesus loves you and so do I."
So in closing, I will say to you dear, kind Father Bill - you will be sorely missed and ....
Remember Jesus loves you and so do I.
Mary Ann and David Dhuyvetter
March 25, 2007
Monsignor Barry's connection with our family goes back a long time. I will always remember the Mass at OLA where my grandfather received his First Communion from Father Barry -- he was the man who brought Grandpa back to the church. He was a wonderful priest, a loving man, and will be sorely missed in our family.
Phyllis Chrisman
March 24, 2007
We will miss Father Barry's smile, strength, support, kindness and humanity. Our lives were blessed by this truly holy man. We will continue to be inspired by his compassion and commitment to a life well lived. With love, The Dembowski Children
Mary Platt (maiden - Mabie)
March 24, 2007
I was always proud and honored to have Monsignor Barry as our pastor...and loved it when he sang in church and at school.
Ester Ramirez
March 23, 2007
Monsignor Barry you were a wonderful friend and mentor to the Marcelino Gomez Family of OLA. We will miss you, but we know that you are in a better place. May you rest in peace.
Ester Gomez Ramirez
Josephine Partida
March 23, 2007
March 23, 2007
In the mid-60's, my little boy was accepted at OLA as a grade school student, where he attended for eight years. I will forever be grateful to Father Barry who made it possible for that to occur. After OLA, my son then attended Damien High School from where he graduated. On graduation day from Damien, Father Barry was the keynote speaker. It was rather hard to believe that 12 years had literally flown by so rapidly. Father was so very proud of all the young men that had been students at OLA, and now they were graduating from Damien. On that day, Father Bill's face was literally shining with pride. Over the years, the Lord had graced those students with Father's constant affection, inspiration, and spiritual guidance, and the consistent respect and genuine love the students showed for him was very evident as well.
Father Barry was a giant leader. As a visionary, he guided OLA every step of the way to what it is today. He was loved and respected by all those lucky enough to cross his path. He always had an infectious smile, a delightful sense of humor, bubbling laughter, and a kind word for everyone. He was like a pied piper when he was on the school grounds. The youngsters constantly followed him and all attempted to get close to him. He was always so patient and found the time to hug every one of those children. His female friends were generally greeted with a song, or a "Hi Gorgeous" or "Hi Sweetheart." Occasionally, this happened when it was just before he was ready to ask you for a favor. He didn't have to beg, cajole, or plead with you. He just asked in his soft, kind voice, and before you knew what had hit you, you were committed to a project for OLA. He had such charisma, that he could sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo.
He enjoyed bantering with the parishioners, young and old, after masses on Sundays, when he would stand outside in front of the church. One had to wait your turn because he was always knee-deep with people wanting to chat for a moment or two. Yet, he found the time to do so, and always with a wide smile and a kind word for everyone.
He has been dearly missed by the entire parish since his retirement 13 years ago. That is still the case today, but he will never be forgotten. We, who were fortunate enough to be his friends or acquaintances, are all the richer for having known him. He is an excellent example to follow. He was a man of the cloth--but he was a prince of a man!
Our heartfelt sympathy to Father Bill's family. God grant him everlasting peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him!
Jo and Marty Partida
Pomona, California
joyce french
March 22, 2007
Father Bill was my guardian angel watching over me when I joined the Neuman Club at El Camino. As my grandsons are playing with water hoses or balloons I have that impish smile on my face remembering all the fun times my friends and I shared down in Newport. I know he will continue to do much good up in heaven
Margie Hernandez
March 22, 2007
How we will miss you, Monsignor, after being a part of the Hernandez family for 41 years! Some of my fondest memories include your feast day pageants, especially in 1970 when some of my classmates and I performed a dance routine to "Spirit in the Sky." We will miss you, especially your smiling face at this year's Fiesta, our first without you. God bless you, dear Monsignor, our "spirit in the sky."
NANCY TENNANT
March 22, 2007
MONSIGNOR BARRY - MY JOURNEY WITH FATHER BARRY STARTED WHEN WE VACATIONED FROM NEW YORK TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 1967 -
OUR JOURNEY WAS ALREADY BEING GUIDED AND I THANK GOD FOR THE DIRECTION IN WHICH HE BROUGHT US -
TO CLAREMONT AND MONSIGNOR...WHAT AN ASSET TO THE CHURCH, THE COMMUNITY, THE WORLD AND TRULY A GODLY MAN.....HE USED TO SING TO US
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU...OH YES, WE DID AND WE KNOW YOU KNEW HOW MUCH THE OLA COMMUNITY LOVED YOU...REST IN PEACE
AND MAY PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON YOU....NANCY TENNANT, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA
Pauline Benavides
March 22, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Armando Reta
March 22, 2007
Fr Berry Taking the liberty of speaking on behalf of the class of 56/57 at St.Marys School ELA. Me met you and quickly learned to love and respect you. Fifty some odd years later we still love and will greatly miss you. We all have great memories of you. May God bless and keep you. Armando Reta
John Baker
March 22, 2007
Thank you for your guidance and direction. Rest in Peace.
Jan Washington
March 22, 2007
Fr. Barry, such a bright, spiritual light in our lives! Thanks for your love and support. We will miss you dearly -- Rest in peace. Jan Washington, Phil, Stephenie and Trisha Hammitt
Tom Cherry
March 22, 2007
Knew his brother Bob and met Bill several times . He did God's work while he was with us .
Barbara Connell Gleason
March 21, 2007
Father Bill. You fostered our Catholic life in college as advisor to the Newman Clubs. Your goodnatured smile is not forgotten. God grant you eternal rest.
Olivia Romero
March 21, 2007
Our family is greatful for having had such a blessing of a wonderful Priest in our lives for over 30 yrs. He was such an inspiration of what faith in the church is about he will be greatly missed. But we have many cherished memories.
Joe & Dolly Santangelo
March 21, 2007
Fr Bill the Engaged Encounter Community will miss you so very much. You brought so much love & compasssion to the weekend. Every engaged couple who has met you have told us they were so blessed to have you with them for 44 hours. We'll miss the time we spent after the Saturday night prayer service sharing our thoughts about the couples over a bottle of fine wine. Dolly will miss your phone calls expecially the way you always said " Hello Gorgeous"
Heaven is a better place with you there.
Meg Long-Eastman
March 21, 2007
I am grateful for Msgr. Barry's presence in my own life and in the life of my family. This presence inspired my faith and helped me over a couple of rocky places. Peace and sympathy to all the Barry family, especially Lorna and Nancy. With love - Meg.
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