Shadwick A. Barry

Shadwick A. Barry, Jr., 96, of Bethlehem, passed peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2019

A true patriot and lover of America, it is appropriate that Shad was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1923, in Memphis, TN, to the late Shadwick A. and Marion (Leslie) Barry. During The Great Depression, his family moved to Chicago, returning to Shads beloved Memphis after a few years.

Shortly after graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Memphis, Shad enlisted in the United States Navy and served in both World War II (Pacific Theater) and Korea. During WWII, Shad was an Aviation Metalsmith First Class and served as an instructor during the early months of the war. He was part of the Iwo Jima invasion and spoke of how beautiful it was to see Old Glory flying atop Mt. Suribachi.

It was during Korea, however, when Shads life path took its biggest turn. While stationed in Bermuda, Shad met his future bride, Joan (McKeon), who was visiting the island on vacation. He and Joan, who died in 2015, were married for nearly 63 years.

Following his fathers unexpected death, Shad left Southern Law School to take a full-time job with Chicago and Southern (now Delta) Air Lines in Memphis. From there, his love of aviation maintenance took him to Westinghouse, where he worked in Delaware and Kansas. Joans desire to move closer to her Philadelphia family and friends brought Shad to the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where he began working on Leap Day, 1960 (he joked “that it was a good thing there was an extra day for me to get that job”). After Bethlehem Steel sold off its aviation fleet, he briefly worked for Mack Trucks aviation division before taking a job with Northeast Jet, as its director of special services. Shad described that job as “the best four years of my working life.”

In his retirement, Shad enjoyed working part-time jobs at Box Office Video, The Mail Connection and as a courier for Oaks Printing and Harmony Press. He also enjoyed tinkering around his woodshop and could fix anything that was brought to him for repair. He enjoyed making things with stained glass and found great pleasure on the golf course, working in his yard and vegetable garden each summer.

A founding member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bethlehem, Shad was a Fourth-Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 313, a member of the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397 and of The Steel Club, both in Hellertown.

Shad is survived by his children, S. Alex of Greenfield, WI, Patricia A. wife of Gary L. Yoder, and Janet E., and daughter-in-law, Rocio VonPreysing, all of Bethlehem. His grandsons, Christian of Weslaco, TX, Shadwick M. Yoder and Nathaniel H. Yoder of Bethlehem, were his buddies and he enjoyed every minute spent with them. In addition to his parents and wife, Shad was predeceased by his sister, May Elizabeth “Dub” Barry Foster.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 21, 2019 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 3219 Santee Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 at 11 AM. Friends and family may call one hour prior to the mass. Burial, with full military honors, will take place in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Knights of Columbus, PO Box 1427, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1427 or to the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397, 935 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.

Shad also wanted to remind people that there is “no shame in flying the American flag,” so please raise Old Glory in his honor.

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden St.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Calling Hours
Saturday, December 21, 2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
3219 Santee Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
US

Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, December 21, 2019
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
3219 Santee Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531