Msgr. Patrick J. Barry

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Msgr. Patrick J. Barry, who served as pastor of SS. Peter and Paul in Mount Vernon for 13 years, died Oct. 17. He was 92.

Msgr. Barry was pastor of SS. Peter and Paul, 1991-2004, and later served as senior priest of SS. John and Mary, Chappaqua. He also served as pastor of Visitation parish in the Bronx, 1979-1986.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 28 at main chapel of the John Cardinal O’Connor Pavilion, the Bronx. Cardinal Dolan was the celebrant, and Msgr. Walter Kenny delivered the homily.

“He was very good at reaching out to people in need like Jesus reached out to different people,” Msgr. Kenny said.

“He had a great sense of humor. He was very cheery, optimistic and witty.”

Msgr. Barry and Msgr. Kenny were classmates at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. The two joined their seminary classmates on golfing vacations each August to Lake George for 35 years, playing many rounds at Glens Falls Country Club.

“It was like old times. We always had a good time together,” Msgr. Kenny said.

Msgr. Kenny said he last visited Msgr. Barry about a month ago. “Same old Pat, he was always very funny,” Msgr. Kenny said. “(I’ll miss) his company. He was a great comrade.”

Born in New York City, Msgr. Barry entered St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, in 1950 and was ordained with the class of 1954 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Cardinal Francis Spellman. He later earned a master’s degree in education from Fordham University, the Bronx.

Msgr. Barry was vicar for religious, 1973-1979; and associate vicar for religious, 1970-1973. He was on the faculty of Cardinal Hayes High School, the Bronx, 1968-1970, and Bishop DuBois High School, Manhattan, 1957-1968, and served as parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist, Mahopac, 1954-1957.

He was named a monsignor in 1974. His sister, Geraldine Clare Barry, survives him. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery,
Hawthorne.

Msgr. Patrick J. Barry