Barry Ilberman

Barry Ilberman 71, of South Windsor CT and formerly of Old Saybrook, NYC and West Hartford passed away on January 5th after a courageous battle with ALS. Barry leaves behind his daughter Jodi Soloperto, Christopher Soloperto and his grandchildren Emma and Jason. Barry was born in Brooklyn on February 25, 1950 to the late Morton and Gloria Ilberman and grew up with his sisters Janis and Nancy in Massapequa NY. Barry graduated from Rensselaer with a Bachelors and Masters in Nuclear Engineering and after a few years, he earned an MBA (later saying “I used to be smart”). While at RPI, Barry met Eileen Mellion. They married on June 18, 1972 and they remained together for the next 44 years until Eileen’s death in 2013. After they married, Barry and Eileen settled in Connecticut where Barry worked at Northeast Utilities for the next 27 years in a variety of positions, before leaving NU as a Vice President. He then spent the next three years as Vice President of Human Resources for Sony Music before retiring to spend time with his family, travel and care for his beloved wife Eileen. Barry enjoyed his work and even more, loved the friends he met along the way and would look forward to meeting for dinners, drinks and laughs.

Barry’s true joy was spending time with family, especially the grandkids, who affectionately called him B-bar. There were family vacations to Florida, Puerto Rico, DisneyLand and Block Island. He would get excited for our vacation dinners and would often start the day by asking “Where do you want to go for dinner, I need to make a ‘rezzy’”. He treasured the memories he made and loved to tell the funny stories that came with them.

Later in life, Barry met Kim Blomker and they continued to have adventures near and far, enjoying time with friends and family. Together they worked through the progression of ALS with both optimism and determination.

Besides his children and grandchildren, Barry leaves behind his sisters Janis Walker, Nancy Gold, his partner Kim Blomker and many deep-loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

A gravesite service will be held on 11 am this Sunday, January 9 at Rodfe Zedek Cemetery located on 24 Leesville Rd, Moodus CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Marfan Foundation and The ALS Association, Connecticut Chapter. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, West Hartford, CT.

Barry shared that he has had a happy life and that is all he wanted for everyone else. He also wanted us to “have a great party” and, in his honor, a celebration of his life will be scheduled for early this summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Marfan Foundation and The ALS Association, Connecticut Chapter