Cecil Eugene Barry Jr.

Cecil Eugene Barry, Jr. was born on June 23, 1959.  He was one of five children born to the union of Reverend Dr. Cecil and Brenda L. Barry.  He was the second child and the first son.  Cecil attended the Pittsburgh Public and Catholic Diocese School Systems.  After graduation in 1978, he attended college, majoring in sociology and psychology from the University of Maryland.

Being quite the athlete, he had a great love for basketball and hoped to play for the pros.  He played ball for Resurrection Middle School and helped win many games for South Hills Catholic High School.

Always healthy conscience, he was an avid weightlifter and would spend hours lifting with family and friends.  Ever the music lover, he had an enormous collection of albums and 45’s.  You could always find him at the mall in the NRM buying the latest tunes!

When Cecil was younger, he would emulate James Brown!  Sometimes he’d pretended to be Maceo, but James was his hero!  He was really quite good at dancing like him too!  He would put on his Sunday-go-to-meeting shoes and slip, slide and glide across the floor with precision, ending it all with a split!  No matter where he was, all someone had to say was, “Do James Brown Littleman, do James Brown!” and he would drop whatever he was doing much to everyone’s delight!  Oh, and don’t let “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell and the Drells come on!  He did that dance better than Archie Bell!  Gramma would crack everyone up by yelling out, “Awww shake it, but don’t break it Littleman!”

Cecil was a huge fan of wrestling and would often chase his daughters around the house pretending to be Macho Man Randy Savage…Oh yeah!

Affectionately known by his family and friends as Littleman, Felner, Ceece, Big C, Old Bearded One, Troll, Uncle Troll, Dad, Daddy and his favorite, Pap-Pap.  As of late, he wanted to be called, “King Cecil”!

In 1984, Cecil married Rhonda Foster and together they had five beautiful daughters and nine precious grandchildren.

Cecil accepted the Lord at a very young age and was a member of Open Door Gospel Mission.  In his later years, he became a member, then Elder at the Fountain of Life Church.  Later, he became a faithful member of Agape’ Christian Ministries of Pittsburgh where he served on the board under the pastorate of his father, the late Rev. Dr. Cecil Barry.

Cecil worked various jobs after college. Some of those places were…Turtle Creek Valley Mental Health, Touching Families, Shuman Detention Center, The Center for Family Excellence, CISP Program for Juvenile Offenders and in 2024 he retired from the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, and you’d better not call him a “meter maid”!

Cecil was a loving, kind, giving, dignified, hilariously silly, well liked, loved and respected man.  He was an all-around good man.  A nice man.  A man’s man.  He was God fearing and deeply loved the Lord.  He was always ready with a smile and a scripture to share or a word of encouragement.

Cecil walked into the arms of Jesus on February 8, 2026.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Dr. Cecil E. Barry, Sr., Brenda L. Robinson-Barry and his sister, Cynthia R. Barry-Brown.  He leaves to cherish his memory, five daughters whom he loved dearly, Ashante’, Alaya, Ashley, Asia and Alexis.  His grandchildren who he adored, William, Jordan, Alyssa, Ari, Makayla, Cayden, Skyler, Sage and Eurie.  Siblings, Sheila Barry-Lee (Roy) of Pittsburgh, Stacey Barry-Dallas (Jeffrey) and Mark Barry (Shawnea) all of Georgia and brother-in-love, Thaman Brown of Pittsburgh, as well as a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, all of whom loved, admired, respected and will miss him endlessly.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cecil Eugene Barry Jr., please visit our floral store.