Barry K. Blomgren

WORCESTER - Barry K. Blomgren, 67, a cherished man known for his kind, caring, humble, and humorous personality, left us on January 20, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Barry was born in Worcester to Bertil C. A. Blomgren and Beverly A. (Baldwin) Blomgren, both of whom predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his father-in-law Raymond Rio and his mother-in-law June (Fairbanks) Rio. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Sally A. (Rio) Blomgren, and his daughters, Megan J. Blomgren Burgess and Amanda K. Blomgren. Barry's cherished grandchildren, Natalie Hadley, Violet, and Ambrose Burgess, will miss him greatly.

In addition, he is survived by his brothers, Robert and Bruce Blomgren; his sister, Melanie (Blomgren) Lombardi; his brother-in-law, Kenny Lombardi; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Rio and Jolene Castellani and his son-in-laws Tim Hadley and Shawn Burgess. Barry will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews: Lauren Lombardi, Abigail Menard, Nicholas Lombardi, Michael Blomgren, Rose Blomgren, Bryan Blomgren, and Brianna Blomgren as well as many other friends who are like family.

Barry attended Burncoat High School and Worcester Industrial Technical Institute. After graduating, he began his career as a mechanical engineer, first working at Heald/Cincinnati Milacron in Worcester and then at Methods Machine Tools Inc., where he would spend over thirty remarkable years of his career. During his tenure at Methods, he became renowned for his exceptional engineering skills and innovative problem-solving abilities. Beyond his technical proficiency, Barry was deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers and technicians, generously sharing his knowledge with hundreds, always infused with a touch of humor. His company held him in such high regard that, upon his passing, Methods honored his memory by lowering flags to half-mast at all locations for 48 hours.

Outside of work, Barry was capable of making, fixing, or engineering anything; he had a tool for every task and completed each one to perfection. His lawn was envious, and he worked for years restoring his 1898 Victorian home with Sally. In addition to his technical skills, he was a naturally gifted athlete, easily mastering every sport he attempted, even water-skied on one ski during his first ride. Although he loved tennis and basketball, golf was his standout sport. He played every chance he had and was a coveted addition to many tournament teams.

Family held a special place in Barry's heart and was a great source of joy. His deep love for Sally and their daughters was evident in everything he did. Barry took immense pride in being a grandfather, and he made it a priority to attend all their games and activities. He loved big family gatherings and had a special way of connecting with each family member, listening to their stories, and celebrating their achievements; he was always the heart and soul of every event.

Perhaps Barry's greatest legacy was his ability to create relationships with anyone, whether a friend, a client at work, or just someone he bumped into at Home Depot. He took a genuine interest in every person he met, wanting to know their story. He had so many friends because he was a wonderful friend- a wonderful person.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Barry's family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A service honoring his life will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, January 31, at the funeral home. A private burial will be held sometime in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in memory of Barry to: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Toni Choueiri, MD, Director of Genitourinary Oncology, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 (Dana-farber.org/gift).

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