Neal Barry

Neal J. Barry, 57, of McHenry, passed away peacefully Monday, November 10, 2014 surround by his loving family. He was born May 12, 1957, in Evanston, IL to John W. Barry and Mary Lou Barry (nee Englehart). Neal was the first son and one of twelve siblings. He was married to Cathy Barry (Tapaninen) on May 28, 1988 in Lake Geneva, WI.

Neal played junior football for the McHenry Hornets then went on to become an all-conference North Suburban football star at McHenry High School 1973/4. Neal served in the Marine Corps and volunteered many years as the head football coach of the McHenry Hornets Jr. Football Team. He was a longtime member of the McHenry Moose Lodge 691. Neal was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He was also an expert in the Grooving and Grinding industry for over 30 years.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cathy; children, Shawn (Kelli) Barry, Nicole (Eli) Lopez, and Neal Barry Jr.; granddaughter, Lily Lopez; mother, Mary Lou; sisters, Kathy (Ron) Hayhurst, Ellen (Ken) Meddings, Pat (Felix) Boris, Sheila (Michael) Malinowski, Mary Schweder, Coleen (Steve) Sisk, and Julie (Scott Hodzic) Barry; brothers, John W. (Lori) Barry, Timothy P. (Michelle) Barry, Kevin (Cindy) Barry, and Thomas (John) Barry; thirty nieces and nephews; and twenty nine great- nieces and nephews. He was most excited about the pending birth of his grandson, Lincoln.
Neal was preceded in death by his father, John in 2012; father-in- law, Henry in 1995; mother-in-law, MaryAnn in 2002; nephew Tommy in 2013; and several infant nieces.

A memorial service will be held at 12 pm, Thursday, November 13th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 206 E. Front St., Harvard, IL 60033.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Neal’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Neal’s family plans to scatter his ashes at the family’s vacation home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire in July 2015.