Obituary of Lionel W. Barrick

Lionel William Barrick, 85 of Ransomville, went home to our Lord on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 with family and loved ones by his side.

Lionel was born January 20, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY, to the late Walter Weston and Nellie (Huffman) Barrick. He attended Trott Vocational High School in Niagara Falls, NY. In January of 1949, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Ft. Benning, GA, which required his parent's permission, and attended Jump School. Lionel served as a medic with the 3rd Infantry Division, 15th Infantry Regiment, A Company. During one of the coldest winters in North Korean history, he was seriously wounded in one of the most famous battles in North Korea, The Battle of The Chosin Reservoir. He was presented the Purple Heart by 5 Star General, Omar Bradley in Pusan, Korea. Following surgery he was hospitalized for 9 months in Japan. He has been a Life Member of "The Chosin Few," surviving soldiers of the epic battle. In addition, he was awarded Korean Service Medal Three (3) Bronze Stars and Combat Medical Badge as well as a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Lionel was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Corporal. He has been a Life Member of the Military Order of Purple Heart and Member of the Society of the 3rd Division. He was also a member of American Legion O. Leo Curtiss Post #830 Ransomville, NY.

Lionel retired from a 40 year career in Construction, working for Laborer's Local 91, and remained a member since 1958, retiring as a Union Steward in 1989. In addition, he was a local businessman/entrepreneur, founder and owner of the first Pizza retail shop in Ransomville. Lionel also, invested in real estate and real estate rental properties.

Lionel had many passions in life, most importantly his love and friendship for his wife Esther, their love together of their children and their devotion to our Lord. Over the years, he was devoted to his Church, past Treasurer of the Holy Name Society, Finance Committee to raise money for the Rectory (former St. Teresa's Roman Catholic Church Niagara Falls, NY). He has been a Parishioner of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Ransomville, NY for 50 years; member of the Church building committee for Father Newer Hall; a member of the Knights of Columbus; a Eucharistic Minister for the Diocese of Buffalo, a Cursillo Member since 1984; and a member of the First Friday Club. He donated time to deliver Meals on Wheels for 10 years; was a Republican Committeeman for 25 years, an Exempt Member of the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Company for 49 years. In earlier years, he helped coach pee wee hockey and always had a real love for sports, a true and loyal New York Yankee fan and Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

Lionel is survived by his loving, devoted wife and best friend Esther Stawarz Barrick, of nearly 65 years this November 29th. They were married in Lockport, at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in 1952. He is also survived by six children, Rhonda Stephenson (Mark), Darlene Alvers (Paul), John Barrick (Laurie), Joseph Barrick (Heather), James Barrick (Colleen Pittner), and Francine Mawhiney (Roger). His grandchildren, Danyelle Stephenson Tower (Pat), Ryan Stephenson (Christine), Jamie Alvers Andrews (Kyle), Nicholas Alvers, Erica Alvers Anastacia (Mark), Cristina Barrick Kroening (Josh), Catherine Barrick McDonald (Devon), Lauren Barrick Snyder (Francis), John Barrick, Madeline Rose Barrick, Mary Grace Barrick, Kelsey Barrick, Cal Pittner, Samantha Taylor, Michael Taylor (Joelle); his great grandchildren, Dylan Guy, Cameron Guy, Emma Tower, Katlyn Stephenson, Caroline Kroening, Theodore Andrews, Kennedy Andrews, Brooks Anastasia, Wesley Taylor, Layton Taylor; his siblings Ronald Barrick (Marjorie), Howard Barrick (Marian), and Walter Barrick (Mary Ann):nieces Laurie Barrick Beatty (Robert), Karen Barrick Dewick (Mike), Valerie Barrick Heltz, Dian Barrick Wood: nephews: Howard Barrick (Sherry), Ronald Barrick (Jodi); niece Kathy Barrick Kassa (Jonathan); nephew Donald Barrick (Nancy); niece Nicole Barrick Chiasson (Mike); nephew Carl Barrick (Rema); a sister in law, Mert Domeracki (Daniel); nephew Daniel Domeracki (Denise); nephew Henry "Hank" Domeracki (Diana) and niece Rose Marie Domeracki Fagan (Tim). He was predeceased by his parents and his daughter Mary Pauline Barrick Hardison.

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Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOMES, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Friday from 3 - 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 28, at 10:00 am in Immaculate Conception RC Church, 4671 Townline Rd. (Rte 429) Ransomville, with the Rev. James Bastian officiating. (Please assemble at Church). Burial with Military Honors will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Town of Cambria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National MS Society Upstate NY Chapter, Donor Relations Center, 1650 South Avenue, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14620-3901.