Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Journey Ends

This morning at 7:08, Barry's journey ended. He died peacefully at home of cardiac arrest with me at his side. The EMTs had been summoned, but Barry was ready for his journey to end. Memorial Services will be held here in Jacksonville in Barry's garden as well as one in Baltimore. Dates are undetermined at this time, but we will post the information on this blog as soon as possible. Both services will be soon. To all of you who have followed Barry's Journey, I thank you. He loved reading your comments and was delighted so many of you were interested in the Journey.

Rick

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rick,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all his family and close friends. Barry was truly one of a kind and I will always remember his giant laugh and how he could gather a crowd and have fun, even if it was work.

Blessings
Chall (Carolyn Hall, Sacred Heart Purchasing/Pensacola/ret.

The Boni Family said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone. I so enjoyed Barry's stories and laughter. I plan on visiting all his hot spots in New Orleans that he mentioned on the blog.

Kelli

Anonymous said...

Rick, You've been so strong in this rocky journey and so that made the road seem much smoother for Barry. I am so grateful for having been touched by him and I am blessed for having been able to share even a small portion of his journey. He truly was a wonderful man and lived life to the fullest. I will never forget his words..."the quality, not quantity of life, is what's important." May God's loving arms surround and comfort you and Barry's family. Robin

Anonymous said...

Rick,
I worked very closely with Barry in the St. Louis office. He was always an inspiration to me and made me smile no matter what kind of mood I was in. He was truly a beautiful soul and I take comfort in knowing that I have him as a guardian angel to guide me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Barry's family always.

With love and respect,
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Rick
I wish I had 20 friends like Barry. He always took time for everyone even when he had a lot on his plate. I never heard him complain through this whole ordeal even though it would have been easy to do so. We have all learned a lot from him. He touched so many people in so many places. I will miss him dearly.
All the best
Scott Albury

Anonymous said...

so sorry Rick, but from the sufering my mother has been going thru, maybe it was some blessing , still,,, thinking of you JMM

Anonymous said...

Rick,
Prayers and thoughts have been coming your way all day. Thank you and Barry for sharing so many stories that touched your friends from a distance. May your memories of wonderful times with Barry (and the blog is proof there were many) sustain you always.
Sue in Baltimore

The Farewell
By Manuel Castro

Goodbye
In every life
there comes a time
for giving thanks
and to say goodbye.

Even though you may
be miles apart,
your memories will keep you
close at heart.

So don’t be disheartened
at the thought of distance
that can’t remove the memories;
your heart’s closest treasures.

May you be blessed
in all that you do,
and may you experience
lots of happiness too!

Goodbye for the moment
’till we meet again.
May our friendship be a treasure
that will never end.

Anonymous said...

Rick,
I am so very sorry, I worked with Barry for 28 years and his passing hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to just leave work and go home. I am just in shock. I have been reading the blog and have so enjoyed the childhood stories, I just somehow missed that he was this badly sick, I thought the chemo was working. I can still hear his voice from the last time we spoke and he told me that he was sorry but had to postpone his visit with us as he spoke that something did not seem right. I am just so very sad.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We have all lost such a good friend and truly wonderful person. I am just in shock.

John Cribbins
St. Vincent's Bridgeport, Ct.

Anonymous said...

Rick I am in shock after hearing the news. I wish to share my symphony, sorrow and prayers with you. Barry will be missed by so many people all across the nation.

Anonymous said...

Rick,
There were so many that worked at STH with Barry over the years, and we will always have wonderful lasting memories of him. All of our thoughts and prayers go out to you, the family, and friends during this difficult time.

What a remarkable reward for Barry and you, side by side, to face life's journey to the fullest and to the final end. Since Barry found out about his ending journey, he did not brood, he 'typed a little faster' with wonderful memories that will always be remembered and enjoyed.

Thanks be to God, because he has a true friend til we all meet again.

Gayle King

Anonymous said...

Rick,

Sadly this journey has ended as we knew it must.

I am so grateful to have been able to know Barry and to be able to share a small part of his extraordinary life.

I am equally grateful for this last treasured gift of his (and yours) in having shared his journey so eloquently with all of us who knew him.

His indomitable spirit, love of life and infectious laughter will be sorely missed.

John Rosen

Anonymous said...

Rick,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It is hard to lose a friend and companion after so many years...but even though this journey has come to an end, a new jouney is starting for him. One free of pain and disabilities. His spirit and wit will live on with those who remain until we meet up in the next world with him...

Michael

Anonymous said...

I just found Barry´s blog by chance, being in a very self-pitying mood. Now I´m ashamed.

I am so sorry for you that he is gone. I wish you all the best - and all the strength: That you will learn to miss him - and to enjoy your life, nevertheless. Might be the hardest thing on earth. But you will.

Blessings

Barbara