Obituary of Thomas M. Barry

Thomas “Tom” M. Barry, 89, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2023. Tom was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to Thomas M. Barry and Eleanor M. Hewitt Barry. He was the oldest of four siblings. Tom grew up in Maine and Montreal, ultimately graduating from Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville, Maine. He grew up skiing, ice-skating, bowling, and working at his father’s paper mill in Winslow, Maine.

In 1956, Tom joined the US Army, one of the best decisions he ever made. He was stationed at Camp Chafee, AK; Fort Lewis, WA; Fort Monmouth, NJ; and Huntsville, AL. He eventually attended Ordinance G.M. School for work on the Nike Missile Systems, where he worked until his career in the army was over.

Following the army, Tom went back to school to finish his degree. In 1966, he proudly graduated from Rollins College with a B.S. in Math and Physics. He then went to work for the Boeing Company where he was an engineer for the 747, 767, and 750 airplanes. He greatly enjoyed his work at Boeing, retiring in 1995 after 25 years.

While stationed at Fort Lewis, a family friend introduced him to Colleen Flink, the love of his life. Colleen and Tom married in May 1960 and shortly thereafter had two kids, Lisa and Pat. Tom and Colleen celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this year.

Tom lived a life of service and dedication to his family. He spoke frequently of his family’s cabin on Messalonskee Lake (Snow Pond), Maine, where he was an avid water skier and boater. After moving to Seattle, he and Colleen introduced the rest of the family to Wapato Point in Lake Chelan. He was a parishioner of Holy Rosary, Edmonds, where he was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Club for 20 years and was actively involved in the Serra Club. He loved playing pool at the Edmonds Senior Center and golfing with his wife and friends.

Tom is survived by his wife, Colleen Barry; his daughter, Lisa Walker (Peter Knudson); son, Patrick Barry; his granddaughter, Alex Cates (Brett) and his grandson, Peyton Walker; his great-granddaughter, Walker Cates; his sisters Sheila Henzie and Anne Mulvaney; and numerous nieces and nephews; and many other extended family members. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Hugh Barry, and nephew James Mulvaney.

Tom’s Funeral will be held on January 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Edmonds, WA with a reception to follow. The rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Vincent de Paul at Holy Rosary Edmonds (https://pushpay.com/g/holyrosaryedmonds) or the charity of your choice.