1956 – 2016

RUMFORD — Barry A. Rickards, 59, of Rumford passed away on Sunday, March 6, with loving family at his side following a courageous battle with mesothelioma.

He was born in Rumford on August 30, 1956, a son of Ernest E. and Mary L. (Gammon) Rickards. Barry graduated from Telstar High School, Class of 1976.

He was employed for almost 35 years at the Rumford Paper Mill, but everyone who knew him knew that his true passion was fixing and working on cars and heavy equipment, or basically anything with an engine. Barry loved the outdoors, walks with his dog “Haley” and going to swap meets in Carlisle, Pa., with his friends.

Surviving are his wife of 34 years Sharon (Madore) Rickards of Rumford; a daughter, Erica Rickards of Rumford; his mother, Mary Bailey of Andover; six sisters, Rosalie Holliday and husband, Jack, of Bethel, Barbara Dakin of Scroon Lake, N.Y., June Inman and husband, Mike, of Albany, Kathy Tibbetts of Bethel, Patti Wood and husband, Steve, of Warren, and Judy Conrad and husband, Garth, of Andover; four brothers, Howard Bailey and wife, Laurie, of Andover, Rick Rickards and wife, Carole, of Peru, Donald Bailey and wife, Barb, of Andover, and Randy Rickards and wife, Ginny, of Union; three brothers-in-law, Mike Madore and wife, Sharon, of Rumford, Jim Madore and wife, Doreen, of Dixfield and Jimmy Young of Bethel; a sister-in-law, Diane DeFilipp and husband, Steve, of Portland; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, Ernest Rickards; father, Clarence Bailey; sister, Nancy B. Young; and paternal grandmother, “Grammie Floss”; and a brother-in-law, Brian Tibbetts.

You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences, and fond memories with the family by visiting their guest book at www.SGThibaultFuneralHome.com.