Bernard "Barney" Barash Obituary (1933 - 2020)

Our Dad, Bernard “Barney” Barash, 86, of Overland Park, KS passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020. He was born December 23, 1933 to the late Rebecca and Louis Barash of Kansas City, MO. Dad worked hard his entire life and began his career as a young boy in the family food business. Though his specialty was paper goods, he could pick good produce like none other. In recent years, Dad loved his job working at Costco. He was able to connect to the community and made everyone feel special. He would check out the new merchandise and make recommendations, always the consummate salesman. We would call him “The Mayor” because he was recognized everywhere he went. Dad loved people and would always say “everyone has a story.” He was a proud member of the ROMEO’s and looked forward to these get-togethers with the “guys.” Dad was remarkably determined and persevered despite many traumatic losses and health challenges throughout his lifetime. His daughter Lisa died unexpectedly at a young age and his wife Judy passed away soon after. He had strength and fortitude beyond measure and always “put one foot in front of the other.” Things we will miss… His use of the Yiddish language; sometimes we would understand and sometimes not, but just hearing him speak was a gift we appreciated. His sense of style was second-to-none; from the shine on his shoes to the coordinating cap on his head, he always looked dapper to the end. His soup always needed to be really hot, otherwise, he’d send it back, even at home! We will miss his daily check-ins and unconditional love most of all. More than anything, Dad loved his family. He lit up when he talked about his grandchildren, who so lovingly referred to him as “Bampa”…they are his proudest legacy. In this crazy time of a Pandemic, when so many seniors feel alone, our family feels blessed to have been able to be by Dad’s side till the very end. We held his hand as he peacefully drifted away to his favorite Frank Sinatra song, “I did it my way.” Our Dad was preceded in death by his wife Judy, daughter Lisa, brother Harold and sister Sophie Matzdorff. He is survived by his children Andie and Cliff Neuman, Brian and Rosemarie Barash, and grandchildren Jonathan, Danny and Lauren, and Joey Neuman; Lauren, Lindsay, and Lexie Barash. Special thanks to the wonderful care given by the staff at The University of Kansas Health System and to Kansas City Hospice House. Memorial donations may be made to JFS Food Pantry, Kansas City Hospice House or the charity of one’s choice.