Richard V. Barrie

Richard V. Barrie, 89, of St. Joseph passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 8, 2012. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM Monday at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, officiated by Paul Briney. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home, Gateway or a charity of donor’s choice. Friends wishing to send an online condolence or sign the guestbook may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Richard was born to James and Esther (O’Grady) Barrie in Lansing on January 28, 1923, and graduated from Albion College in 1945. He worked as a reporter for the Grand Rapids Press before joining the state of Michigan Dept. of Social Welfare. In 1967, Richard served as the first director of Berrien County Council on Aging and then served as assistant director and communications director at Blossomland United Way for many years. In 1980, he was appointed Director of Client Services for Gateway Vocational Rehabilitation Center. Richard was a caseworker and public welfare administrator for the Michigan Dept. of Social Welfare (now the Dept. of Social Services) for 20 years. He retired in 1985, although he continued working with newspapers and area businesses. Richard met his wife Betty while working in Beulah, MI, where they married in November 1951. They kept their first home there, enjoying many summers on Crystal Lake with their children and family. Richard loved to sail, travel to different countries and states, and meet people in all walks of life. Most of all, he cherished his family. Richard’s non-profit involvement ranged from life-long support of the local Boys and Girls Scouts programs, to serving on numerous Boards; these include Gateway, Southwestern State Employees’ Credit Union, and Child and Family Services, where he had many roles, including President. Richard is survived by three children, Sue (Tino) Figueroa of Miami and their children Daniel and David (Stephanie); Ann ( Robert) Russell of Muskegon and their children Jamie and Carl (Jamie); Carol (Jeffrey) Briney of St. Joseph and their children Paul(Christa), Michael and Sierra; 11 great-grandchildren and a brother Robert (Nancy) Barrie survives. Uncle “Dicky” was loved by many Nephews and Nieces – who enjoyed his yearly “Trout Bout” in Beulah. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, on May 29, 1995; a son Richard A. Berrie on September 15, 2011; his parents; and brothers James, Jack and Terrence Barrie.