Arthur Joseph Barry, Jr.

Arthur J. Barry Jr., 86, passed away on August 16, 2022 at home with his family.

Arthur was born on November 20, 1935, to the late Loretta (Fontaine) and Arthur Joseph Barry Sr. He is survived by Deborah (Rose) Barry, his wife of 64 years.  In addition to his wife, Arthur is survived by his daughter Donna (Barry) Schiano, son Ken Barry and wife Tiffany, daughter Michelle (Barry) Manseau and husband Kyle, son-in-law Wayne Dion and also his seven grandchildren, Angelina Schiano, Natalie Schiano, Juliana Schiano, Elaina Schiano, Georgia Barry, Tyler Barry and Jake Manseau. Arthur is predeceased by his daughter Denise Barry Dion and brothers Ernest Barry, Robert Barry and Joseph Barry. 

Arthur was a life member of the Preston City Fire Company. On August 3, 1954 he aided in the rescue of many passengers aboard the Air France flight that crashed in Preston, Connecticut. At the age of 16, he served as the youngest bus driver in the state of Connecticut, transporting the children of Preston.

He worked as a mechanic for his entire life, getting his start working in his father’s Jeep dealership.  He later opened his own business, Spearpoint Auto of Preston in 1977 which was named after his father-in-law's business Spearpoint Gardens. In 1988 he turned his passion of auto racing into a full-time business starting SPAFCO Race Chassis fabricating Modified race cars and selling them and their components to championship winning race teams all up and down the east coast. To this day his legacy lives on through his son Ken who runs SPAFCO and is still producing race winning cars.

In 1952 Arthur took over his father’s race team and being too young to get into the pits himself, he hired a driver and ran his first race at the Waterford Speedbowl which was the start of his legendary racing career that would span 70 years.  He spent many years running tracks up and down the entire East coast and as far West as Indiana with a host of remarkable drivers winning at 26 different tracks, Arthur fielded cars that scored several marquee victories throughout the years. Some of his most memorable accomplishments include winning the 1980 Waterford Speedbowl Championship, back to back NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Championships in 2001 and 2002 and Valenti Modified Racing Championships in 2012 and 2014. He was inducted into the New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame in 2009 and New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Known for his craftmanship and innovation of not only producing fast but beautifully prepared racecars, Arthur won many best appearing car awards capped off with his Best of Show award at the 1985 RaceArama car show.

In his later years when most people his age would start to slow down, Arthur never took his foot off the gas and continued to keep himself busy tinkering in his meticulously kept shop at home and maintaining his race car which he fielded for his grandson Tyler.  This capped off his racing career by getting to see his grandson drive his famous 21. He also spent countless hours and great pride in keeping his property well groomed and maintained.

His family will cherish every single memory that was made and his passion for racing will live on in us all.

In lieu of traditional services, and in honoring Arthur’s wishes, please join the family at Thompson Motor Speedway, 205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT, on September 7, 2022 for a gathering and a celebration of life honoring Arthur. There will be time for telling and sharing stories. Please join the family anytime between 4pm and 8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arthur’s memory.  The Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home 490 Voluntown Road Jewett City, CT has been entrusted with the arrangements.  For online condolences please go to www.gagnefuneralhome.com

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