Joseph Barry; WWII veteran became lawyer, labor arbiter

JOSEPH BARRY

After his freshman year at Boston College, Joseph C. Barry lacked enough money to further his education. He made several attempts to cover it, even trying out for the football team in hope of winning a scholarship.

Finally, he approached officials at the Jesuit school and asked for a loan; they granted him an academic scholarship for the next three years.

His family said Mr. Barry never forgot the favor: Several years later, he arrived at BC with a check in hand for everything he owed, plus interest.

A retired attorney and World War II veteran, Mr. Barry died July 22 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He was 93 and a longtime resident of West Roxbury.

Mr. Barry was born in Mission Hill and graduated from Mission High School. After receiving his undergraduate degree from BC, he joined the US Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. The ship that he was on, USS Orestes, was attacked and blown up by Japanese forces. Mr. Barry was injured and received a Purple Heart.

During his stay in a California hospital where he was recovering, he met a nurse, Stephanie Henegan from Worcester. After he recovered, Mr. Barry returned to the Philippines and Henegan to Boston. The two later reconnected through a mutual acquaintance and were married in 1949.

Mr. Barry's thirst for knowledge continued. He went back to BC, two more times receiving a law degree in 1947 and an economics degree in 1957.

For the majority of his career, Mr. Barry worked on the National Labor Relations Board. He traveled around New England visiting mills and other workplaces to ensure that employees knew their rights. He held elections when companies unionized. Later in his career, he became a labor arbiter.

His son, Chris of Hopkinton, said Mr. Barry read The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal every day. He also read the Economist and America magazines. "He wanted an understanding and grasp of what was going on around the world, not just the US," Chris said.

Mr. Barry was also an avid tennis player and played into his 80s. He had a strong Catholic faith and was actively involved in the church community, his family said.

Along with his son, he leaves another son, Peter of Weston; five daughters, Laura M. Neville of Reading, Paula F. Skinner of West Roxbury, Marianne Lally, Joan E. Capone, and Stephanie G.B. LeBlanc, all of Canton; 18 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Services have been held.