Sonny Barry

August 22, 1945 – July 22, 2024

With his loving family by his side, the legendary "Sonny" Barry of Marlton NJ, born Henry Albert Barry Jr., was called by his Lord and Savior to join him in Heaven on Monday, July 22, 2024.

Born in North Philadelphia, Sonny was a man of many talents and passions. A respected mechanic by trade, he ran multiple auto repair shops in his life, before turning his own home garage into a shop upon retiring. His love for cars knew no bounds, and he was a member of multiple car clubs. He spent countless hours restoring custom hot rods and was an avid drag racer, always eager to share his expertise and enthusiasm with fellow car lovers.

Sonny's love for music was another defining aspect of his vibrant life. A talented musician, he excelled in singing, guitar, and drums. In his youth, he performed in several bands, including one that recorded an original album and another that backed up Chubby Checker during his visit to town. Later in life, Sonny regularly performed solo at local restaurants, with some of his performances even broadcast on the radio. Music and entertaining were lifelong passions for him, and he shared them generously with those around him.

In addition to his mechanical and musical talents, Sonny was a remarkable athlete who excelled in wrestling and boxing. Over the course of 10 years, he trained under catch wrestling (catch-as-catch-can) champion George Eberly, mastering submission wrestling and earning a black belt in Judo. Alongside this, he also achieved a 3rd-degree brown belt in Aikido and a brown belt in Karate. At 38 years old, Sonny showcased his impressive skills and power in the 1984 Golden Gloves Boxing tournament, and even met pro-wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow at the Monster Factory once, who challenged him to an impromptu match that ended in a stalemate. By his 60's, his dedication to physical strength and discipline also led him to a career as a professional strongman, where he amazed audiences by bending metal with his bare hands and doing feats of strength. He appeared in the documentary "Bending Steel" in 2013 and holds two world records for bending per the Record Holders Republic. He also appeared in various publications and shows, including the Burlington County Times, Courier Post, Channel 6 Action News, and an episode of Hardcore Pawn where he bent a crescent wrench into a pen holder.

A devout born-again Christian, Sonny's faith in God was unwavering. He was passionate about sharing the word of God, touching many lives with his spiritual guidance and support. He would often say his salvation and his family were the greatest gifts he had ever received. In his final years, Sonny's resilience and ironclad willpower helped him achieve what seemed impossible. By the grace of God, his time here with us was extended, providing him and his family and friends with precious additional moments together. His family, inspired by the same passion and faith that Sonny had instilled in them, supported him throughout his battle with MDS (blood/bone marrow cancer). Sonny bravely fought the disease for five years, succumbing just one month before his 79th birthday.

Sonny Barry leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion. His multifaceted talents, coupled with his generous spirit and unyielding faith, made him an extraordinary individual who will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Patricia; his three children, Adam, David, and Brenda; his sister, Sharon DeYoung; and his five grandchildren, Aiden, Ava, Brandon, Shane Barry, and Colin Martin, all of whom will continue to honor his memory and celebrate the incredible life he lived. He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Albert Barry Sr.; his mother, Helen Barry (nee Slobodjian); his brother, Charles; his sister, Joan; and his half-brother, Robert Monahan.

A memorial will be held on August 10th, 2024, from 4-8pm at Barry's Garage in Marlton, where we will hear his voice again as we play his music and celebrate his life through videos, showcasing the various aspects of his exceptional journey. Regarding any gestures of sympathy, such as flowers or food, please consider them for the memorial so all who loved him can enjoy them together. His feats of strength will be on display, and attendees will have the opportunity to select and take home some of his bent metal creations as mementos, ensuring his legacy lives on in the stories told about the man who bent them.

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