Worcester/Westborough – Dr. Tom Barry, 87, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife and family on March 12, 2024. He was born in Worcester, June 15, 1936, the son of Thomas F. Barry and Blanche (Erickson) Barry.
He was raised in Worcester, primarily by his mother Blanche and his grandmother, Florence Erickson. He graduated from St. John’s High School (1954) and spent his summers working at LA Hastings Leather Goods in Worcester. He earned an A.B in Chemistry from St. Michaels’ College, VT (1958).
During his college career, he was a member of the Air Force ROTC where he excelled as an expert marksman. He returned to Worcester to marry Mickie, his high school sweetheart. He went on to earn his Masters’s Degree in Chemistry from Clark University (1961). Shortly after, they moved to South Bend, IN, where he earned his PhD. in Biochemistry from University of Notre Dame (1967). He remained a devoted and loyal Notre Dame football fan his entire life.
After a time working at Merck Pharmaceuticals in Rahway, NJ, he once again returned home to the Worcester area, settling in Westborough. He went on to serve as Director of Chemistry Department at St. Vincent’s Hospital for more than 30 years.
A dedicated father and grandfather, he enjoyed the time spent with his family. After the death of his daughter in law, he became a primary care giver for five of his grandchildren (Jessica, Ryan, Jimmy, Brittany, and Christopher). He loved working with children at their home day care, Misty Meadows Day Care, where he was loving referred to as “Grampa” by all the kids who attended over the years Additionally, he had a hand in running Barry’s Bait and Tackle and was always willing to listen to a good fish tale.
He was an avid photographer and gardener. You could always find him tending to his precious Black Eyed Susans. He was a member of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (past President), Rahway Jaycee’s, Westboro Knights of Columbus, and member of St Luke’s Parish in Westboro for more than 40 years.
Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years Frances Michaleen “Mickie” (Hammill) Barry, his children Thomas Barry Jr. and wife Sue of Millbury, Mary Oliver and husband James of Sutton; James Barry of Worcester; Cathy Cervi and husband James of Spencer and Rebecca Federico of Auburn; fourteen grandchildren, Cameron Barry, Elisha Hourihan, Joshua Oliver, Jessica Alves, Ryan Barry, James Barry Jr., Brittany Hughes, Christopher Barry, Brandy Barry, Cody Barry, Gabby Cervi, Anthony Cervi, Mya Federico, and Thomas Federico, as well as 10 great grandchildren.
Tom is preceded in death by his granddaughter Michaleen O’Connell, his great granddaughter Alexis Alves and daughter in-law Cheryl (Sealey) Barry.
A Mass and Celebration of Life is being planned for June 2024.
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