Barry Bleakley
Barry Bleakley, Sr.
COMPASSION, DEVOTION & CHARACTER
The Lamb, July 2006
Barry Bleakley recently received the Order of St. Louis Award in Sacred Heart Parish for outstanding dedication and hard work. He is an accomplished athlete and a mainstay of the community. But what drives him and sets him apart is his compassion for others, his devotion to God and to his fellow man, and his unyielding character.
Barry grew up on the Shell Oil Company Village in Norco with two brothers and four sisters. He attended Destrehan High, where he was every coach’s dream—he excelled in all sports. He was the team’s quarterback in football, he was a high scoring center in basketball, and he played shortstop in baseball. He could do it all, and he was an outstanding team leader in every sport. He received an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona where he continued to excel. One of his favorite hobbies was building and flying model airplanes. He was and still is a perfectionist. Barry married Marguerite Millet over 50 years ago and they had six children. When he moved off of the Shell Village they bought a home in Norco and live there today. He is an outstanding father and husband, and he balances all that with a tremendous love of his God. Barry’s 21 grandchildren admire him and look up to him. He is always available to them any time of the day or night. He’s not a father-in-law, but a true father to all of his daughters-in-law and sons-in-law. Everyone loves him dearly. One of the kindest people in the world, Barry is the neighbor everyone wishes for. Need your grass cut, he’ll come right over. Call for help when an elderly parent or spouse is ill or has fallen, and he’s there to help. Call him in the middle of the night or early in the morning and he’ll be there within minutes. Need a place to sleep, come on over. Need a ride home from school, call PaPa Barry. Besides his devotion to his family and neighbors, Barry’s blessed devotion to the Lord and his Blessed Mother is overwhelming. He has been an active member of the Yard Boys at Sacred Heart and continues to altar serve for Father Terry every Friday or whenever needed. We are proud to say that Barry is a dedicated, longstanding member of the SCB Men of Manresa. He has attended many annual retreats at Manresa with the group over the years, and he and his wife have also attended several couples retreats together. One item that may be of particular interest to SCB Men of Manresa members is that Barry has a unique relation to another member: Barry and Marguerite’s son Cliff is married to Earl and Daisy Rodrigue’s daughter Caroline. In addition to his many successes, Barry has experienced much tragedy in his life. He lost his two brothers, Larry and Donnie, in an auto accident in the 1950’s in what was considered the saddest time for the entire Norco community. A few years later, his father passed away from leukemia. His mother died about 10 years ago. And most recently, the untimely death of his great-grandchild and the ensuing struggle. But through all the suffering and pain, Barry continues to be the person he is today – loving and caring to everyone. A man of compassion, a man devoted to God and his fellow man, a man of unyielding character. May God bless you, Barry, as he has blessed us with your friendship and your example. May he continue to guide you in good times and in bad, and may he bring you comfort and insight when you need it most - the same way you do for so many others. This we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of his Blessed Mother Mary. Amen.