Thomas George Barry—who loved music, family, and practical jokes good enough to become legends—died Sunday October 20 at his home in Kentucky. He was 58.

Tom was born to McHenry’s Mary Lou and Walter Barry on July 6, 1967, the 11th of their 12 children. From the beginning his kindness, humor and love made him everyone’s favorite (don’t tell the others).

He graduated from McHenry High School in 1985, where he discovered a love for cooking.  Tom began a culinary career and eventually became a certified dietary manager. Later, he worked as a project manager with Tyler Technologies, implementing software in communities from Alaska to the Virgin Islands for 15 years.

When he was 20, Tom moved to Massachusetts, following his heart’s desire to be closer to New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee, where he spent summers throughout his life. Tom’s spirit shined extra bright at the lake, whether around the campfire with his family or behind the wheel of his boat. Still, his ties to McHenry remained strong and he returned to Illinois often.

Tom lived life to the fullest, and delighted in sharing his passions with others. He loved to DJ and travel, especially to beaches, where he was apt to send photos of his feet in the sand. Florida, particularly St. Pete, held a piece of his heart, and he returned to the Sunshine State throughout his life to live and visit family, biological and chosen.

Tom’s life was filled with rich partnerships and friendships, including with his many cousins. He doted on his dogs, Mitzy, Sully and Sadie. His most treasured role was being Uncle Tom to his 29 nieces and nephews, and their children. His legacy is seen in just how many of them are named after him.

Tom leaves behind his mother, Mary Lou Barry; his siblings, Kathleen (Ron) Hayhurst, Patricia Boris, Sheila (Michael) Malinowski, John Walter (Lori) Barry, Mary (Keith) Nissen, Coleen Sullivan, Kevin Barry, and Julia Hodzic; his nieces and nephews; and friends who were his family. He was predeceased by his father, John Walter Barry, his siblings Ellen Meddings, Neal Barry, and Timothy Barry, and his nephew, Thomas Dolan.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Polish Legion Liberty Club, 1304 Park Street, McHenry, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Tom’s honor to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

If you can’t join, please remember Tom by cooking your favorite dish, sending a funny card to someone you love, watching The Wizard of Oz, or singing “Somewhere over the rainbow.” 

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