William Barry Formerly of Sag Harbor Dies March 10

William Barry, formerly of Sag Harbor, died on March 10. He was 77.

In late February of this year, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer and was to begin chemotherapy when he suffered two seizures at his home, where he died on March 10.

He was born at Southampton Hospital on April 24, 1947, to Frank and Laurienne Barry, who predeceased him. His grandfather, Hap Barry was mayor of Sag Harbor Village. His grandmother, Beth, owned and operated Barry’s Dry goods store on Main Street.

Known as “Billy” or “Bill” to his friends, he grew up in Sag Harbor and attended Pierson High School, where he was active in sports. He graduated in 1965, after which he enrolled in Cornell University, where he studied hospitality.

He served his country in the Vietnam War, working as a U.S. Army courier. He was always welcomed when he flew into the jungle bases since he always brought two pallets with him, one with Budweiser beer and another with T-bone steaks.

After serving in the Army, he returned to Sag Harbor to help his father run Barons Cove Restaurant, and then purchased Ruschmeyer’s Hotel & Restaurant in Montauk.

He left Sag Harbor to pursue his lifelong love of racing. He even drove his own car for a few years.

After living in California and North Carolina, he and his wife, Anita, settled in Oregon for the last 20-plus years, where he became very involved in running the Southern Oregon Chapter of Gambler’s Anonymous.

He is survived by his best friend and wife Anita Barry; his sister Jane Barry Norris; brother-in-law Skip Norris; and nephew Christian Edvardsen.

He will be interred at Eagle Point National Cemetery in Jackson County, Oregon, on March 21.