Barry John Friel

Condolences

Patsy Flexer lit a candle and writes,
Sending prayers & condolences to his family & friends. I never had a chance to meet him, but everyone always had nice things to say about him.
03/20/2024 05:27 pm
Bruce Milam lit a candle and writes,
Barry was fun guy and will be missed by his many friends.
03/21/2024 11:30 am
Chris Tigh lit a candle and writes,
On many occasions, events, and adventures, moments that I shared with Barry marked significant turning points in my own life. His encouragement and support, especially of my artistic efforts, were continuously instrumental in my own personal growth. His friendship was priceless, his laugh was contagious, and my appreciation for his unique sense of humor will stick with me forever. I miss him deeply. ...And that is one of the best and most accurate photos that I have ever seen of him! Peace, Barry.
03/21/2024 01:30 pm
Lief Eriksen writes,
There wasn’t anyone quite like Barry. He made friends easily, was quintessentially a people person and enjoyed bringing new folks together. We had some unforgettable adventures together and had some side-splitting laughs recounting some of them in the past year or so. His sense of humor was something he kept right to the end despite all he was going through. I admire him for his courage and generosity and am so grateful to have been one of his friends. He’ll be missed beyond words by so very many.
03/21/2024 06:29 pm
Cheryl Jumps writes,
Barry loved people. He enjoyed spending time at St Helena’s volunteering and going to Bellevue concerts with my Mom. He fought his illness for a long time. He will be missed. Praying for the family. Love Cheryl and Doug Jumps
03/24/2024 04:32 pm
Barbara A Brodoway writes,
I met Barry through St. Helena's events and his joy for life was evident. I still chuckle at his stories. I saw the strong side of Barry in his long struggle with cancer. I am happy he is at peace and he's probably bringing some levity to the others in heaven.
03/25/2024 10:17 am
Maria Rodale lit a candle and writes,
Barry was a wonderful person who brought so much joy to the Rodale community. I was so proud of his recovery journey and offer my sincere condolences to his family.
03/29/2024 08:20 pm
Rik. Clay lit a candle and writes,
Barry and I were friends for 51 years. We met in Boulder, Colorado in 1973, he renting a room at the home of my employer Joe Delaney with his Irish setter Randy. Getting his MBA at CU, I was working in the expanding health food business in Boulder. We became friends in the most wonderful hippie town 1970’s and with his VW bus we rock and rolled. With his University study he honed his knowledge on all things Whole Foods that would be instrumental in his position at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Ever so many visits to his beloved Hidden Hill Farm house over the long and winding road of our life. Flying into NYC, I would catch the Beber Bus at the Port Authority to Kutztown, PA and there he would always be for the ride to his farm house laughing all the way. That was the 1980’s and the second weekend in September he would have a lobster fest, loads of people and a scavenger hunt on the massive farm property. In the 1990’s I moved to San Francisco and he visited. We would meet in Boulder and rent a car and off we would go touring Colorado laughing as we visited friends in Boulder, Aspen, Telluride and Durango. Always laughing. In 2004 I showed up at the farm for a month interviewing for work in NYC always the Beber bus to and from the city. By now I just called him B. I got the city position and for 3 years I would catch the Beber to the farm. Fabulous dinners with his work mates and Mennonite farmers in the area he so treasured. As the years pressed on and he became ill with cancer, I was now in London. We texted and called each other. The past few years we no longer laughed and would be crying on the phone and then just texted. And then the text messages stopped. I am so honored to have been his friend. My heart is his home forever. . . Love, as ever B . . . Rik. Clay
04/01/2024 01:19 pm
Janet welk lit a candle and writes,
Barry, thanks for all the memories. Our team knew how to work hard and have fun, thanks to you and Mary’s leadership. I truly believe we had one of the most creative internal agencies and miss it dearly, nothing has come close to matching the creativity of that timeframe. Sending love to your family during this difficult time. You will be missed! Love Janet
04/06/2024 12:10 pm
Skip Foppert writes,
"Your heart and my heart are very, very old friends." Hafiz
04/11/2024 02:31 pm
Richard Alleger lit a candle and writes,
“And I thank the Lord There's people out there like you I thank the Lord there's people out there like you” Bernie Taupin, Mona Lisas and Madhatters
04/14/2024 02:08 pm
Chris Herring writes,
What a special person. I lived across the street from Barry in Boulder, where he became a mentor and friend. First time we met he was delivering Mountain High ice cream to the neighbors at Thanksgiving. His sense being and full of life experiences was contagious. He connected with our family and we treasured our time together, many times talking in the garage and he helping a teenager see the bigger picture. We also had Irish setters, and Randy was often over for a visit. He came to my wedding and was the star of the event, it meant so much. Through the years we kept in touch, connecting a few times in Boulder but always talking like it was yesterday. I regret not visiting him in PA as I let life get in the way. The last time we talked he said we may not talk again but didn’t understand what that meant, now I do. I retired this year and was hoping to reconnect, but found this announcement trying to find him since his cell wasn’t working. Barry rest in peace, I love you. Chris
08/10/2024 10:19 am