James Michael Barry

JAMES MICHAEL BARRY, age 92, of Bel Air, MD, died on September 21, 2006 at his home. Born in Baltimore City, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph Patrick and Winifred Veronica Neary Barry and the husband of the late Edna D. Lund Barry and the late Patricia Etter Barry. During his 30 years of public service, he was a very active member of the community and served on various boards and was a member of several organizations: 1950-1957 Chairman of the Liquor License Commission, 1957-1959 member of the First Baltimore County Council, Chairman of the Maryland State Democratic Central Committee during the election of John F. Kennedy and campaign manager for Millard Tawes for governor, 1959-1966 Chairman and Member of the Board of Appeals – Department of Employment Security of the State of Maryland, 1966-1980 Supervisor of Assessments of Baltimore County, 1943-1970 business man in the Dundalk, Edgemere, Baltimore County area, 1957-1959 won the election to the first Baltimore County Council, and was a member of the newly charted council. He was a charter member of the Edgemere Moose Lodge and past president, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Alhambra Hibernian Society, Chairman of the March of Dimes, Co-chairman of the Cancer Fund. He was probably the oldest politician in the Democratic party. He attended St. Elizabeth Parochial School in east Baltimore, the University of MD and the International Association of Assessing Officers Management School. He was a Harford County resident for 18 years and a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church for 18 years. During the depression, he worked for the American Oil Company. He was owner and operator of multiple businesses. He loved fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and enjoyed wining and dining with Maryland Delegates.
Mr. Barry is survived by a son, James C. Barry Jr. of Bel Air, MD; a sister, Veronica Barry Snyder of Edgemere, MD; a brother, Patrick Vincent Barry of Stewartstown, PA; three step-children, Jennifer Lemmon of Pylesville, MD, James Gambrell of Baltimore, MD and Patricia Rogers of Joppa, MD; a cousin, Leo Smith of Jarrettsville, MD; two grandchildren, Mary Ellen Barry of Havre de Grace, MD and Michael John Barry of Blacksburg, VA; four great-grandchildren, Mark Phillip Snidero and James Thomas Lund Snidero, both of Havre de Grace, MD; and Alexandra Christine Barry and Tyler Michael Barry, both of Blacksburg, VA.

In addition to his parents and wives, he was predeceased by a son, Michael Wayne Barry; a sister, Winifred Barry Adams; and two brothers, Joseph Eugene Barry and John Francis Barry.

Pallbearers were Patrick Barry Jr., Robert Mroz, John Adams, Terry Adams, James Snidero and Mike Rogers. Honorary pallbearers were James Gambrell and Mark Snidero.

Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21211.