Barry James McDole, Sr.
Barry James McDole, Sr. died on July 30, 2019, at home after a short and fierce battle with a long illness and several health struggles that he advocated strongly for right up until the end. Barry was born on Aug. 26, 1940, in Hamburg to the late Walter John and Etta Ruth (Holley) McDole.
Predeceased by his brothers, Donald R. (Ducky) McDole, John E. McDole and Richard A. McDole. He is survived by his wife, Audrey, (Sue) McDole; daughter, Debbie (McDole (Schanstra), and her husband, John; and Barry James (Jim) McDole, Jr., and his wife, Michelle (Klecha) McDole. His grandchildren, John, and his wife, Lisa; Jennifer, and her husband, Brian; Stephanie (Stevie), Jesse and Chris, and one great-grandchild, Liam. He is also survived by two sisters, Carol J. McDole Steffy (Jean) and her husband, Kenneth, and an McDole Scott, and twin brother Harry K. McDole, as well as several nieces, cousins and great nieces and nephews. He also had the pleasure of great friends and neighbors, Jeff, Evelyn, Emily and Luke Vanderhoff, that were like family to him and affectionately called him “Barr Barr”.
He was a lifetime resident of Hamburg/Hardyston Township. He was born and raised in Hamburg, N.J., and graduated from Hamburg High school. He entered into the Navy from 1959-61 and was a yeoman on the U.S.S. Forestal. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers. Since youth, he has had a love of babies, family and friends. He was employed as a correction officer in Annandale and Stokes (Mountainview). He also was a Hardyston Township special police officer and worked on the Hardyston Township Road Dept. Upon retirement from corrections, he continued working for the state of New Jersey Parks for several years at the Stokes State Forest, up until this spring. He also loved plowing in the winter for the state. At the park, he made some great friends and mentors, and was a mentor himself. He also was a member of the N.J. Forest Fire Service and, in costume, played “Smokey the Barr” at several events. He was also a member of the Sussex American legion. He was proud to be a veteran and loved baseball. He was a local Cardinals, Skyhawks and Miners baseball fan, and he was a season ticket holder at Skylands Park in Augusta, since its opening. He enjoyed traveling the U.S. on several bus trips over the years and to his son’s place in New York state. He had a love of dining in restaurants and had a rapport with the staff at Jumboland, Grannies and Elias Cole – also Eastern Garden, Annabelle’s in Unionville, and Milford Asian Buffet. He will be forever known by his Navy Veteran hat with many decorative pins and his wit, gruff humor and personality. He will be sadly missed by both family and friends.
The family will receive their friends at F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, One Main Street, Franklin, N.J., on Sunday, August 4, 2019, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral service will be Monday, August 5, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Clove Cemetery, Wantage Twp., NJ. Memorial gifts to a favorite Veteran’s Charity would be greatly appreciated. Information and condolences can be found at www.fjohnramseyfuneralhome.com