Barry Eugene Newcomb

Barry Eugene Newcomb of Traverse City, MI, formerly of Sault Ste. Marie, age 79, died on Friday, May 26, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born to William and Marguerite Newcomb of Sault Ste. Marie on February 24, 1944. Barry was the oldest of seven children and was always proud to be known as "Big Bear" to his siblings.

Barry graduated from Lake Superior State University (College) in 1962. Barry married the love of his life, Julia, in 1967 and they remained in love and devoted to one another until his death. Throughout their life together they loved to travel and be close to family. Barry was an avid outdoorsman spending many a day hunting and fishing with his sons and grandkids along with some very close friends. Barry also enjoyed watching his grandkids at sporting events, theatre productions, dance recitals, choir concerts, and band performances. Barry was an active member of his church and had a strong love and passion for his faith serving as an elder and deacon at many of the churches he attended in life. Barry had a strong vibrant sense of humor frequently saying, "If it is going to be funny later, might as well be funny now." Quick with a dad joke or a funny jab, he always enjoyed making people laugh.

Early in Barry's professional life he was a fencing coach at LSSU teaching his students the art and tactics of fencing. Barry also owned and operated several restaurants in the Soo area as well as being a former president of the Soo Chamber of Commerce. After leaving business ownership behind, Barry went to work for Gordon Food Services as a store manager in Marquette, Midland, and Saginaw, eventually retiring and moving to Traverse City to be closer to his family.

Barry is survived by his wife Julia Newcomb; sons Rob Johnson and Brian Newcomb of Lake Ann, MI; son- in-law Doug Pace of Kingsley; sisters Sandra Killips of Sault Ste. Marie, Wilma Fleetwood of Green Bay, WI; and brother Bill Newcomb of Las Vegas. Also surviving Barry are his grandchildren, Jesse (Cassie Gotwatt) and Joseph Brocklehurst, Zak and Saylor Johnson, Sidney, and Logan Newcomb, D.J., Kayleigh, and Kristi Pace; and great grandchildren Elijah, Brantley, Jaxon, Ashton, Benjamin, and Tyler. Barry was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law Terry and Ernestine Kennedy; his daughter Dawn Pace; granddaughter Kayla Brocklehurst; brother Bob Newcomb; and sisters Judy Reid and Gail Newcomb.

Barry's family would like to thank the staff at Medilodge of Suttons Bay for their care and compassion during his final months while living at their facility.

There will be a time of visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Friday June 9, 2023, in the Gardens at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI, 49684. The funeral service for Barry will be celebrated immediately following visitation at 1:30 p.m.