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Venturan posthumously honored with medal
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Barry
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More from Local NewsTim Barry, a Ventura resident who died rescuing his 4-year-old grandniece from the ocean, has received a Carnegie Medal for extraordinary civilian heroism.
Barry was among 22 people in the United States and Canada recognized Monday by the century-old Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, established in 1904 by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Barry's widow, Sue, will receive a bronze medal and $6,000, commission officials said.
"I am deeply touched," she said Wednesday.
She received notice of the award Monday from the Pittsburgh-based organization, which honors a select few from hundreds of thoroughly investigated cases. The medal is awarded to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others, spokesman Doug Chambers said.
"I was stunned," said Sue Barry, a county worker who still lives in the couple's home on Bangor Lane in the Pierpont area of Ventura, steps from the beach.
She figured she would keep the medal, to arrive in the coming weeks, atop a home desk, near a photograph of her husband and a citizen's medal of merit her husband received posthumously for his actions.
"Tim did a lot of good things for the community," said Kioren Moss, a Pierpont resident and friend who nominated Barry for the award. "I still miss him."
Barry, 54, a professional cameraman and neighborhood activist, died the day after Christmas 2006 while helping to rescue Priscilla L. Yothers, 4, who was pulled into the rough surf by a wave. The young girl, visiting Ventura with her family, was on the beach outside Barry's home with her mother, who was pregnant at the time.
Hearing screams for help, Barry ran to a rock jetty and jumped fully clothed into the frigid water, swimming to the girl and holding her above water as he worked her away from the rocks, according to witnesses.
Barry was face down in the water by the time another man, Adam English, swam to them. English returned Priscilla to the beach.
Barry's death helped spark a fundraising effort and partnership among neighborhood, state parks and city leaders to add lifeguard towers and improve safety along the scenic but treacherous shoreline.
Of the 22 honored this week, five died during their heroic acts, Chambers said.
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Posted by keepin_it_real on April 10, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!!!! What an honor and a brave man.
It is too bad no one seems to comment on these stories.
Posted by hiller702 on April 12, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tim lived across the street from us, and he was a good neighbor and good citizen in every sense of the word. He watched out for the old people and little kids on the street, always lent a helping hand, was active in community affairs, and was a friendly and cheerful presence. We miss him very much, and are glad that his memory is being honored.
Posted by bhunt on April 13, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm truly thrilled his nomination was approved. Heroes need to be recognized.
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