Richard Mark Barry

Richard “Rick” Mark Barry was born January 6, 1962 in Ayer, Ma. To Richard H. Barry and Cleta Mahan Barry. Rick grew up in Dracut, Ma and attended Dracut High School. During his academic years he served as the center for the football team as well as played baseball and hockey.Following graduation he went on to play football at Maryville College in Tennessee. Rick joined the United States Air Force in July of 1981 and was stationed in Germany. During his military service his served as a telecommunications systems/equipment maintenance specialist. Rick earned the AF Training Ribbon as well as the AF Good Conduct Medal. After completing his service with the Air Force, Rick worked for Raytheon and Cabletron and also served as a tattoo artist. Tired of the frigid northern weather and looking for a new opportunities to better himself, Rick sought out the warm Florida rays and moved to Deltona, Fla in 1991. He worked as a plumber’s assistant until he decided to seek out a career change. Being an avid motorcycle enthusiast, Rick enjoyed many solo adventures riding thousands of miles and camping along the way. This included a two week ride to Yellowstone National Park. It was not odd for Rick to hop on his bike and ride miles to get to the best food spots. A devout New England Patriots fan, we spent numerous seasons cheering on his favorite team. His #1 rule was, “if you lived in his house you had to love his Patriots”. Rick attended Daytona Community College and completed the Basic Corrections Operations Recruit training class. In October 1994, he became employed by the Volusia Co Sheriff’s Office as a corrections officer. He parted ways with Volusia Co. and joined the Lake Co. Sheriff’s Office in August of 1995. Rick, having the desire to further his knowledge and education, he took incentive courses to include Line Supervision, Field Training Officer, Discipline and Special Confinement Techniques, and Instructor Techniques. This training allowed Rick to serve as a new recruit training instructor at the Institute of Public Safety. Being the blunt and outspoken guy that he was, Rick offered a real life perspective of what was to come for the new recruits. Later in his career, he was reassigned to the transportation department. In October 1999, Rick completed the Cross Training Corrections to Law Enforcement course which permitted him to be dual sworn in as Detention Deputy as well as a Deputy Sheriff. In 2005, Rick was transferred to the Fugitive Extradition Unit where he remained assigned until his untimely death on July 16, 2020. Rick enjoyed this assignment and the men and women that he was fortunate to work within this unit. Lifelong friends were made as they bonded over hours of “windshield time” or took out of state trips to bring back “the bad guy”. Rick will be best remembered by his peers as being a gentle giant with a big heart and kind spirit. His loud and boisterous voice, Boston accent, and lack of the ability to ever pronounce an “R” could clearly be heard throughout the halls of LCJ when he was around. Rick’s excellence in law enforcement was only second to the love and dedication that he had for his wife Bria and their son Brennan. He was a loving and devoted husband and extremely proud daddy. Family time and supporting Brennan in lacrosse, football, or track and field was his passion. Rick took the time to study and learn lacrosse, a sport he never played, to allow him to help Brennan sharpen his skills. He turned the side of the house into a lacrosse practice field and one could easily find him after work passing balls back and forth with Brennan. He had dreams of watching him play in the NFL or MLL (Major League Lacrosse) and had made Brennan promise to fly us all over the country to any and every game, all expenses paid of course. Rick took an active role in school and sports activities, attending every parent meeting, addressing all school issues, chaperoning every field trip, and could always be seen and especially heard on the sidelines cheering Brennan on. Rick served as both assistant coach and head coach for TYFL (Tavares Youth Football League) for many years. Rick will be missed by all whose lives he touched. His dedication to his wife, family, and excellence of service as a Master Detention Deputy is a shining example of the person that he was. Rick was a God fearing man who read his Bible daily and spoke of the goodness and wonders of our God. He was a member of New Vision Community Church where he served faithfully as an usher for many years. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Rick H. Barry; uncles, Peter Hogan, and Ed Lemanski; father-in-law Willie Brunson Sr.; and mother-in-law Lou Hellen Brunson. Rick leaves to cherish precious memories: a devoted wife, Bria; son Brennan; two sisters, Ann Marie Bisson (Ken), and Kathleen Riley; one brother, Shawn Barry (Robin Toof); two aunts, Mary Hogan, and Kathy Lemanski; three uncles, George Mahan (Pauline Wilford), Charles Mahan, and Bob Mahan (Sharon); three sister-in-laws, LaShaune Brunson-Daly (Vaughn), LaDawn Brunson-Cunningham (Carlos), and LeDonna Brunson; three brother-in-laws, Willie Brunson Jr (Lynette), Drexel Brunson, and David Brunson, 28 nieces and nephews and numerous sorrowing friends and co-workers.

Richard Mark Barry

January 6, 1962 - July 16, 2020