William J. Barry (Uncle Billy, Bill)

March 31, 1951 – November 18, 2021

William J Barry passed away peacefully in his home on November 18th, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was born on March 31st of 1951 in Brockton, Massachusetts, to William Charles Barry & Martha Mary Messina.  Bill was raised in a Catholic Irish Italian family.  He was the only son out of three and is survived by his siblings, Janice Gelnett and the youngest, Lee Ann Norton.

He was loving husband, brother, favorite Uncle to all nieces and nephews, businessman, a cat lover, balloon artist, and a friend to all. He was a Honorable Veteran who served in the US Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Parachute Badge, and was discharged with “Honors” for his distinguished service in 1973.  He also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality at the University of Massachusetts.

Bill will be remembered as man who enjoyed life at every stage, and seemingly every minute of every day. Easy going, kind hearted, energetic, always well intentioned.  He had a fun-loving spirit, pulled pranks, and told silly jokes.  He never took himself too seriously and had a special way about him that brought joy to his life, and to the life of everyone who surrounded him.  He liked rock music, loved concerts, traveling, sports, golf, working out and loved his motorcycles. He was a talented chef and he loved to BBQ.  He lifted weights and had big muscles, so we knew a stranger wouldn’t cross him.  Little would people think when they met Bill the first time, that beneath his strong and muscular physique, there was a kind and gentle soul, who was always trying to help and doing good for others. 

He enjoyed the role of the “Cool Uncle Bill”, balloons, jokes, cartoons, pranks. Some of his most memorable pranks were fake parking tickets on your car, scratch tickets that were fake winners, and three carrot ring jokes, making everyone’s day brighter.  He brought a loving, unforgettable influence on his nieces, nephews, and family in general, by having them see always the positive and happy side of life.

Bill was passionate for his business and everything he chose to do.  He was considered a great salesperson, since he was charismatic, honest, respectful, a gentle soul, trustworthy, and always made his clients laugh and had a great time (that’s why his clients loved him). 

In his free time, Bill was also a professional balloon artist, which he picked up as a hobby, but then became another of his passions.  Through his balloons, he was actively involved with children, often running through event to event, volunteering at Church, and doing charity work for many communities in South Florida.  So driven by the desire to help unprivileged children, he was committed throughout the years with his wife Jenny, to provide for the food and education of a little girl at a remote nursery in Dominican Republic called “la Milagrosa” located at the Matas de Farfan, DR.  This little girl was receiving the support from Bill and Jenny through a Charity Program directed by Father Liam Quinn.

Bill leaves behind his wife Jenny Yau, who will follow his legacy of volunteering and helping the community, his two Sisters, Janice Gelnett and Leann Norton, and many nieces and nephews.

Please Join us to “Celebrate Bill’s Life”, on Sunday, December 12th, 2021, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at Boyd Panciera Funeral Home located at 1600 N University Dr. Pembroke Pines, FL 33024.

Donations in Memory of William Barry can be sent to “God Direct Reach Mission Inc” (Mission for Matas de Farfan) directed by Father Liam Quinn.  Address, 4611 South University Drive, #186, Davie Fl 33328.

Bill gentle soul and good spirit will always stay with us, and we will carry his memory in our hearts.  For many “youth is wasted on the young, but for Bill … youth was with him for his entire life”. 

For those who cannot attend Tributes of a Lifetime, the family is providing a live video stream of the service for family and friends to attend virtually on Sunday, December 12 2021, at 3:30 PM; This will be LIVE on the Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care Facebook page at: Hover & Click to the Right of the Arrow —> BOYD-PANCIERA FAMILY FUNERAL CARE FACEBOOK