Thomas Benedict "Tom" Barry 1924 - 2009

BARRY, CONWAY, MINDEN, FITZPATRICK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2014 at 21:07:16

Sioux City Journal
25 September 2009

DANBURY, Iowa - Thomas B. "Tom" Barry, 85, of Danbury died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. Burial will be in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery, with military graveside honors provided by the American Legion, Carlson-Frum Post 336 of Danbury. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. today, with a vigil wake service at 7 p.m., followed by a rosary service provided by the Knights of Columbus, at the church. Armstrong Funeral Home of Danbury and Mapleton is in charge of the arrangements.

Thomas Benedict Barry was born a true Irishman on March 21, 1924, at Danbury, the youngest and last surviving child of Mike and Nell (Conway) Barry. He grew up in Danbury and graduated from Danbury Public School in 1942. He was drafted into World War II but did not have to go as the war came to an end. He was drafted into the Korean conflict and served his country as a quartermaster in the U.S. Army from Oct. 15, 1950, until Aug. 6, 1951. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Danbury and worked at Barry's Service Station, often running the tank wagon. At the same time he was working as a part-time rural mail carrier. He also drove school bus for a period of time.

On May 11, 1952, he married Phyllis Minden, who died 11 months later.

He was united in marriage to Patricia Fitzpatrick at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa, on April 20, 1955. The couple made their home in Danbury. Tom owned and operated Tom's Place in Danbury from 1955 until the early 1970's. In 1960, he was appointed Postmaster by JFK and served in the Danbury Post Office until he retired from that position in 1987. He was a member of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States and the National League of Postmasters of the United States.

After leaving the post office, Tom enjoyed his new job working for his brother, Bill Barry and Barry Motor Company on parts runs, car exchanges, or whatever the day required, often doing favors for family and friends while he was in Sioux City.

Tom was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury, where he became founder and long-term member of St. Mary's Church Choir. He was a 68-year member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a 64-year member of the American Legion, Carlson-Frum Post 336 of Danbury.

Tom was extremely generous in volunteering his time to the Danbury community, a place for which he felt a deep pride. He served on the Danbury City Council for 38 years, was the mayor for years, a member of the Danbury Fire Department, and the Danbury Community Club. He was active in the town's annual Corn Days event in his younger years and helped revive the celebration in 1975. He was instrumental in the purchase and establishment of the Cord Memorial Library and gave of himself for years collecting for the Danbury Kids' Christmas Program.

Last Memorial Day, Tom was acknowledged at the Memorial Day Program sponsored by the American Legion for his service to the Legion itself and the community in general. He could just see what needed to be done and found the resources to serve the cause. Every year he took it upon himself to decorate the graves of each veteran at the Danbury Cemetery with a small group he pressured to volunteer, placing flags and crosses on the graves. He also took on the task of organizing the Avenue of Flags for the cemetery, finding the resources to get a beautifully decorated flag trailer donated to the cause, and again recruiting volunteers.

Tom was truly the town historian, often clarifying facts under discussion. He knew everybody and always was able to recall your name and story, sharp-minded until the end. He often related a story but would make you figure out what he was getting at before he told you, enjoying your agitation anytime he could. He became "Uncle Tom" not only to his family but many he befriended.

Loving survivors include his wife, Pat; his children, a daughter, Betsy Hubert and her husband, Larry of Lamberton, Minn., a daughter, Kathleen Friedman and her husband, Rick of Sioux Falls, S.D., a son, Bob Barry and his wife, Pam of Sioux City, and a daughter, Jean Barry of Danbury; eight grandchildren, Clayton Hubert and his wife, Randi, Michael Hubert and special friend, Kiki Polzin, Kelsey and Charlie Hubert, Danielle, Ross, and Barry Friedman and Joel Barry; three stepgrandchildren, Meredith Hill and her husband, Rob, Patrick Ferdig and his wife, Monica and Lindsay Foltz; two great-grandchildren, Carly and Morgan Hubert; five great-stepgrandchildren, Miranda and Lucas Hill, Ella and Lily Ferdig and Breken Foltz; two sisters-in-law, Midge Barry of Danbury, and Ramona Barry of Pender, Neb.; a special nephew, Mike "Chops" Barry and his wife, Jean and their family of Danbury; and legions of other relatives and good friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Daniel Joseph Barry in 1982 at the age of 18; four brothers, James, Joseph, Robert and William; two sisters, Geraldine Lee and Pauline Johnson; and his first wife, Phyllis Barry.