John Bligh
Rose Rita Barry, a UFT member for 50 years and a teacher in a family of teachers, died on Aug. 7, 2021, after a long illness. She was 93.
Rose taught Spanish, first at Port Richmond HS and then for 17 years at Tottenville HS, both on Staten Island. She retired in 1992.
Her husband, Anthony, was a city public school teacher until his death in 1990, and her son, Anthony Jr., is a teacher at PS 2 in Manhattan.
A lifelong Staten Islander, Rose was born in the St. George home her father built. She attended PS 16 and Curtis HS, where her name is on the permanent Honor Roll.
She earned a bachelor’s degree at Hunter College and a master’s degree in education at New York University. She graduated magna cum laude from each and was admitted to the national honor society Phi Beta Kappa.
Rose was the first PTA president at IS 61 on Staten Island and a longtime member of the YMCA. She belonged to the Staten Island Archaeology Society; was president of the Belle Lettres Society, Staten Island’s oldest humanities group; and was a member of the Italian American Women of Staten Island.
Rose enjoyed gardening, traveling, antiquing, exercising, playing the piano and anything British.
A longtime member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, “she was a wonderful mother,” her son Anthony said.
In addition to Anthony, she is survived by sons James and Edward; daughters-in-law Virginia and Linda; and grandchildren Catie, Megan, Olivia, Colin and Anthony.
Rose was a dear friend at Tottenville H S where we taught together. We lived in the same community and we shared many trips to Armory Antique Shows and happy times Antiquing together .After retirement we spent much time Decorating. sewing for and staging a newly bought home by her son ANTHONY. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE FONDLY REMEMBERED BY ME.