FRANCIS WILLIAM "SWEEDE" BARRY

Francis William Barry, 80, a Matanuska Valley resident, died of heart failure Nov. 25, 2004, at the Palmer Pioneers' Home.

Services were held Thursday, Dec. 2, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 432 East Fireweed Ave., Palmer, with visitation from noon to 1 p.m. and Mass at 1 p.m.

Mr. Barry was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Oconto, Wis., the son of Earl and Louise Barry. Because of his light-blond hair as a child, he acquired the nickname of "Swede," which remained with him all of his life. He came to Alaska in 1935 with his parents, who were members of the Matanuska Valley Colony project.

He graduated from Palmer High School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.

In his youth, he worked on the farm and trapped for funds to aid the family, with his father and brother, Melvin. Later, the farm developed into a dairy, which he operated for several years.

He also worked on industrial projects throughout central and northern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. His chief occupation was diesel electric mechanic. One of his last jobs took place at Amchitka, during the Cannikin project, an atomic test site.

In his later years, he also involved himself in prospecting and mining operations.

His loved ones wrote, "If any one word describes Swede, it is "generous." He helped anyone he felt needed assistance. He also was good-humored and loved to read and talk."

He is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin and Mary J. Barry and Paul and Beverly Barry; sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Anthony Neff; sister-in-law, Virginia Barry; numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and foster children, Gail, Theresa, Daisy, Archie and Charles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert and Donald; brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Elizabeth Barry; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marian and Henry Wiese and Helen Simpson Shannon and Earl Simpson and Paul Shannon.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.