Williams, Barry R.

Barry Richard Williams, 71, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in York, Maine on May 8, 1949 to Richard and June (Trafton) Williams.

Barry is survived by his wife Susan Heller Williams, daughter Colby Jones and husband Rich, son Jacob Williams and wife Samantha, son Sam Williams, ‘honorary daughter' Petal Benjamin, who took care of him these last few years, and sisters Sedona and Kathi Williams. Barry was awed and filled with joy that in August he would become a grandfather when Colby and Rich's daughter is born.

Barry grew up on the shore in Waterford. He loved the beach and being on the water whether it be sailing or fishing. Barry spent many hours fishing throughout his life, and it was one of his happiest times (even if he didn't catch anything…which was often).

Barry loved life. He was ever curious, an eternal optimist, generous of heart, and found joy in even the smallest of things. His love for Colby, Jake and Sam was deep, as it was for his dear friends Paul Lesniak and Don Durivan. Barry laughed easily, filling a room with his great big belly laugh. He was a romantic and would cry each time he watched his favorite movie, The Princess Bride.

After attending the University of Connecticut, Barry went on to receive a Master's degree in Library Science so that he could make a career of his love of books. Following his first job at Baker & Taylor, he went to work at the University of Connecticut as an acquisitions librarian and was elected President of his union. The election forever changed the course of his career and ignited his passion for worker's rights. While president of the union, he was spotted by George Springer, President of the American Federation of Teachers CT. George recognized Barry's big personality and recruited him to become the lobbyist for AFT CT. Barry worked tirelessly for what he believed was right, and the rest of his career was spent fighting for social justice, and workers and their families. He fought fiercely and tenaciously and was only arrested once -maybe twice - in this pursuit.

In 1985, Barry was elected to represent all workers in Connecticut as the Secretary Treasurer of the Connecticut AFL- CIO. In 1987 he started his own firm and lobbied on behalf of unions and non-profit organizations.

Barry was equally beloved by all. Politicians from both sides of the aisle, and labor and business alike all knew him to be frank, honest, and skillful at bringing people together. He often said “I'm a lobbyist. I have no ego. If someone asks me to bark like a dog, I'll bark like a dog.” And if all else failed, he'd bring out his secret weapon: a loaf of homemade bread for whoever he needed to win over.

Notably thrifty, Barry was highly skilled at getting others, especially fellow lobbyists, and in the old days even legislators, to buy him meals. He loved food – any food as he would say (except cheese) and pat his belly. His taste was not always sophisticated. In fact, he specifically asked that everyone eat a vanilla cream donut and some franks in a blanket in his honor.

In 2004, Barry was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and was forced to retire two years later. But he never stopped fighting. He was, perhaps above all else, stubborn. When he was 8 years into the disease, Barry told his neurologist that he fractured his shoulder riding his bicycle. The neurologist thought he was joking about riding a bike. He was not.

Barry spent the last several years as a resident of the Hebrew Center for Health & Rehabilitation in West Hartford. Often called the mayor, he was beloved by residents and staff alike. Each November, he would grow his beard out so that he could dress up as Santa and pass out candy and small gifts to “make the old ladies happy.” The family would like to thank the staff for their thoughtful care throughout.

Barry Richard Williams loved life. He loved his life and the people in it. He was determined to get every single minute he could from it. He never gave up. Not even for a second. We miss him and we will continue to miss him in a way too big to express in words.

A memorial service for Barry will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers and to honor Barry, the family requests your consideration of a donation to the American Parkinson's Disease Association at: www. apdaparkinson.org