Robert T. Barry

July 22, 2002

Robert T. "Skip" Barry, 71, of Eddystone, formerly of Coaldale, died Monday, July 22, in the Crozier Chester Medical Center. He was the husband of Gloria A. (DeMatto) Barry. They were married for 47 years.

He worked as a machine operator and supervisor for the Scott Paper/Foamex Corporation, Eddystone, for 34 years before retiring in 1994.

Barry was the Mayor of Eddystone Borough since 1994, and previously served as a councilman in 1992 and 1993.

Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Robert and Gertrude (Kennedy) Barry, and had resided in Eddystone for the past 42 years.

He was a 1950 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, where he was an outstanding football player. He was a 1998 inductee in the Carbon County Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Barry was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served from 1950-54.

He belonged to V.F.W. Post 7949 and American Legion Post 844, where he was a past commander and current vice commander, as well as chairman of the V.A. Hospital Committee.

The deceased was a member of the Delaware County Association of Boroughs, having served as its president in 2000 and 2001. A member of its board of directors since 1994, he previously was a vice president and first vice president of the association, which recently named him the recipient of its Armstrong Laughran Award.

He was a board member of the Delaware County Regional Water Authority since 1996.

Barry was a former football coach and a past director of the Eddystone Boys Club.

He belonged to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Eddystone, where he was vice president of the Holy Name Society, a Eucharistic Minister and a Parish Council and Liturgy Committee member.

Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Robert T. of Upper Chichester Township; a daughter, Jane Barry-DePaul of Broomall; and two granddaughters.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, John J. "Jack," who died on May 24.

Funeral services were held Friday in Eddystone.