Obituary of Barry Kolek
Barry passed away peacefully in his own bed on Saturday, March 7. He was born in Healsburg, California to Albin Kolek and Ruth (Parks) Burke. He spent most of his life in Portland, Oregon. He was deeply connected to his good childhood friends from the St. Johns neighborhood throughout his life. Later in life, Barry retired to the tight knit community of Astoria, Oregon where he lived for 17 years.
Barry attended Roosevelt High School and served in both the Marines and Army. He had many jobs over his lifetime—bartender, landscaper, proud maintenance worker at Fort Clatsop, property manager, feed store operator and with the Union Pacific Railroad. He loved rich foods, gardening, reading and baseball. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping and travel. Barry was know as Pop to his daughters and Pops to his grandchildren. He had a gregarious nature, swore like a sailor and was larger than life whenever he entered a room.
Toward the end of his life, Barry suffered from dementia and kidney failure. For his final two years, he lived at Holladay Senior Care. His family is extremely appreciative of Daniela and Ryan for their excellent, loving care. Barry is survived by his two daughters and a son.
Barry is laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery, no service is planned.
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