Thomas A. Barry, 93, engineer

Thomas A. Barry, 93, of Drexel Hill, an engineer and decorated Army veteran, died Saturday, Dec. 3, at home.

A native of Pittsburgh, Mr. Barry attended Carnegie Mellon University and West Point before enlisting in the Army six months before Pearl Harbor was attacked.

After officer training, he was assigned to the 82d Engineer Combat Battalion. On June 17, 1944, the 82d landed in Normandy and proceeded to clear paths and establish supply dumps for troops advancing through France, Holland, and Germany.

For his service as a battalion supply officer, during heavy fighting in February and March 1945, Capt. Barry was awarded a Bronze Star. According to the award citation, he procured supplies when they were not readily available and delivered them with "expedience," permitting troops to complete their assigned missions. "The superior leadership, initiative, and devotion to duty displayed by Capt. Barry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service."

In May 1945, Capt. Barry earned a Purple Heart when he was injured by an exploding grenade. Later in his military career, he earned an Oak Leaf Cluster for his Bronze Star.

Back in the States after the war, Capt. Barry was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, where he met Lt. Ruth Edwards, an Army nurse who had served in the Philippines. They married in 1948.

During the Korean War, he served in Korea. He was later stationed in Germany, Washington state, and North Dakota.

After retiring from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1963, he became physical plant manager for what is now Drexel University. He devised energy-saving initiatives that saved the university millions of dollars, his daughter Anita Wakefield said.

Mr. Barry earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Drexel in the early 1970s. He retired in 1990 but continued to serve as a consultant at Drexel.

An accomplished photographer, he shot beautiful images that his wife developed in their home darkroom, their daughter said. He was also an amateur geologist and discovered garnets in Drexel Hill.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Barry is survived by daughters Theresa Shapiro and Mary; sons Thomas and William; two brothers; a sister; and 12 grandchildren. His wife died last year.

Friends may call from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield, and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

Donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250.