Dennis Paul Barry, 74, of Newport News, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, October 16, 2026, with his wife by his side, following a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Dennis was born at Kew Gardens Hospital in Queens, New York, on May 16, 1952, the third of six children born to the late Charles Peter and Helen Eyler Barry. He grew up in Elmont, New York, attending St. Boniface Elementary School before moving with his family to Newport News, Virginia, in 1964. He completed his elementary education at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic School, which later became Peninsula Catholic High School, graduating in 1970. Dennis played in little league as a youngster, basketball during his high school days, and as an adult took up the daily challenge to many kinds of puzzles and word games, especially enjoying competition with his older brother Wayne.

Ambitious and hardworking, Dennis began his career with local electrical contractors before establishing his own business, Barry Electric, which he successfully ran for a number of years, frequently offering his services free of charge to the Poor Clare Nuns in Newport News. In the 1990s, Dennis transitioned to the public sector, joining the electrical department at Christopher Newport University. It was there that retired President Paul Trible gave him the affectionate nickname, “Sparky.” Seeking further opportunities, Dennis went on to work for both the City of Chesapeake and the City of Hampton, eventually retiring as an Electrical Inspector from Hampton City in 2022.

Dennis was a true music aficionado, beginning his own “garage band” during his high school years. He had a deep passion for the storytelling power of music, holding a particular affinity for Harry Chapin. During Harry’s frequent visits to the Tidewater area in the 1970s, a lifelong bond was formed, and the singer warmly adopted Dennis as a family friend. Dennis cherished the special times spent chauffeuring Harry and the band to regional shows, a connection that thrived across decades. His devotion to their music never waned; had his health not declined, Dennis would have been on the road to a Tom Chapin concert in Vermont the very night after he passed.

Of all his life's chapters, Dennis found his greatest joy in the family he built with his wife of 36 years. He leaves behind his precious wife, Janie Gail Barry; his stepdaughter, Rebecca (Josh) Griffin; and his stepson, Brian (Sonja) Leber. As their family grew, Dennis earned his most treasured title: "Pappaw." His profound bond with his grandchildren was on full display in his final days. On Tuesday, Dennis expressed a deep wish to see them, and every single grandchild made their way to his home within two days to share one last memory.

He will forever be held in the hearts of his grandchildren: Brilee (Timea) Leber, Samantha Leber, Renate (Joey) Garrity, Triston (Meadow) Seaford, Owen Seaford, Kennedy Seaford, Brennan Seaford, and Ajyen Griffin; as well as his great-grandson, Oliver.

Dennis was predeceased by his oldest brother, Kevin (Monica) Barry. He leaves four siblings to honor his memory: Wayne Barry, Marianne Sherman Dusyn (Norb), Bill Barry (Nikki), and Patricia Clark, alongside a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A Celebration of Life and Passing will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Cornerstone Community Church @ 1003 Moyer Road in the Denbigh area of Newport News, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Dennis' honor to WhyHunger online at WhyHunger.org. Alternatively, you may support a cause very close to his heart: the Mayflower Marathon Food Drive, which will be held Nov. 20 - 22, 2026. This annual holiday tradition was co-founded by his late friend, Mike Arlo, and presented by 106.9 The Fox. Dennis faithfully supported the event each year with a signature donation of $106.90 to match his favorite station.

Contributions of any amount to feed local families this Thanksgiving can be directed to:

• On the Peninsula: Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
• On the Southside & Eastern Shore: Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia

Simply Cremation is assisting the family.