Grandpa

My Grandfather passed away yesterday from emphysema, he was 89 years old. Below is a picture I found of him from the 303rd Bomb Group website, the battle group he belonged to during World War II. I also attached his obituary below to give you a little more detail about him. With a sharp wit and kind, soft voice, his words always commanded full attention when he spoke. He had a really neat way to use knowledge and wisdom to deliver a funny line and completely catch you off guard.

When I was 11 years old my Grandmother passed away. One of the most profound memories I still carry from that time was a day after her funeral. I was at their house in San Francisco and I came downstairs to see my mom about something. I found her in the breakfast room sitting at the table with Grandpa, my dad was sitting on his opposite side. Grandpa was crying. This was pretty shocking to see, especially knowing him they way I did. Grandpa was always composed and either in a serious tone or joking, but never emotional. This was the first time I had ever seen someone heartbroken over a loss of someone dearest too them. It was as if we buried a piece of him the day before. He seemed confused and overwhelmed within his grief. I never forgot that day and from time to time it would come to mind, wondering if he ever really did come to peace with Grandma's passing. A couple years ago he visited her grave and as he left he was overheard saying "25 years is a long time..." I can only feel happy for him now knowing that he is finally reunited with Grandma. I will miss him a lot and I will never forget his smile and polite laugh. But I can get through the next few days knowing he is as happy as he has ever been right now.





Edwin B. Barry Ed, age 89, died after a brief illness from complications of lung disease, in San Francisco, January 5, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Born and raised on Bernal Heights in San Francisco, Ed attended St. Paul's Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School (1935). He graduated from San Francisco State College, where he was elected student body president for 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps prior to WWII and rose to the rank of captain. During the war, stationed in Molesworth, England, he served as commanding officer of the 1114th Quartermaster Company Service Group, 303rd Bomber Group (Hells Angels). Ed was an engineering operations planner with Lockheed Corporation and a veteran's services specialist with the Veterans Administration. Preceded in death by Kay (Lucey) his beloved wife of 33 years, Ed is survived by his children, Bonnie Dines (Michael), Bartholomew (Sharon), John (Brenda), Dennis (Suzanne), Kevin (Donna), Kathleen Ryan (Ken); sister-in-law, Joanne St. Clair; 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and 18 nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin at 3pm, Sunday, January 7th with a Rosary at 4:30pm, held at Duggan's Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 8 at 10am at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 221 Valley St. (at Church St.), SF. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.