John Edward Barry

John Edward Barry, of Pinehurst, N.C., died on January 21, 2012 at the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, N.C. where he had been a patient for eight years. He was born on February 22, 1924 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the son of John M. Barry and Antonia Letarte Barry. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, Tenth Mountain Division, and served during World War II in Italy, where he was wounded and later honorably discharged in 1945. He was also the recipient of the Purple Heart.

He was a graduate of The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Degree. He retired as president and CEO of Sovereign Chemical Company of Akron, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mark; daughter, Claire Simpson; and the mother of his children, Mary Kapper Barry. He is survived by his wife, Mary Claire; five sons, John (Rosemary) of Tuscon, Arizona, Thomas of Lake Charles, La., James, Matthew, (Chris) of Akron, Ohio and Daniel of San Marcos, Texas; four daughters, Mary Ann Seiberling of Columbus, Ohio, Jeannine Marks (Steve) of Akron, Ohio, and Maureen Rocha, (Rodrigo) of California; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration and remembrance of his life will be held Monday, January 30 at Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., with a service following at 7 p.m. His inurnment will take place at the Columbarium in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1449, Pinehurst, NC 28374. or the charity of your choice .