Barry was born to Patricia (Dickerson) and Norman Riopelle on June 19, 1961. Pat and Norm had four children: Nicholas, Barry, Sheri and Penny (deceased). They grew up on Grosse Ile, Mi, fought like cats and dogs but would die to protect each other.
Barry loved motorcycles and after his Dad put a helmet on him and sat him on a bike, Barry was hooked. His family supported his love for racing as they would travel on the weekends and camp at different race tracks.
Barry became quite good at his passion and many years would finish top 3 in the District. When he was old enough to drive he and his friends would venture to the races themselves.
Barry went to Grosse Ile High School and eventually starting working. His first job was at Al Petri and Sons, Bicycles. Barry loved the mechanical aspect of the bikes and this passion continued through his life.
Barry met a girl, Lori, who shared his passions. They were inseparable. They were married in Dec. of 1979 after they graduated high school. Barry had so much success with his racing that they decided Barry would race another year and try to become professionally sponsored. He raced in the Pontiac Silverdome again and another great year had started.
Sometimes life has other plans and when Barry found out he was going to be a daddy, his focus shifted from sponsorship to career. Barry and Lori made their home in Gibraltar and their son Anthony was born Dec. 11, 1980. Barry loved being a daddy and it wasn't long before Anthony was on a trike.
The two were one from the beginning. The hardcore broken bones motorcross rider became a soft, giggly man who would lay on the floor and play with his son. They were best friends for the rest of their lives.
Barry remained in the bicycle business for life, owning his own bike store in Berkley, MI building bicycle frames, rebuilding motorcycles, etc.
Barry and Lori dissolved their marriage but not their friendship. Barry found love again and married Beth, but again, it was not to be. Barry's love for bikes and motorcycles continued.
Anthony grew into a great young man and moved closer to his dad, staying with him until he was established on his own. Barry and Anthony were best friends and when they weren't together, they were on the phone.
Anthony passed away suddenly in 2006 and with him took such a huge part of Barry's heart that the hole could never be repaired. Barry tried to continue but life for him was a struggle because of the loss.
He continued to work on bicycles and motorcycles giving them new life while Barry's was slowly burning out. He missed his son but carried on with out passion.
Barry had such a great heart. He was a mentor to many young folks throughout his life and probably had no idea how he changed them with the time that he spent with them. He loved animals, his friends and neighbors. He would do anything for anyone, anytime and never expect anything in return. He was the type of guy that would give you his last dollar. His own comfort came last.
While doing something he loved, Barry suffered a terrible accident when his head hit the pavement during a test drive. He had innocently jumped on a moped and didn't take a moment to grab a helmet.
The injuries to his brain were too much and Barry passed away on July 24. Barry, true to his spirit of generosity, was a registered donor with the Gift of Life organization. His gift most likely saved two families from hurting like his family and friends are now.
Update: The Gift of Life organization notified us that Barry's kidneys were given to two recipients, "life saving donation gives recipients the opportunity for a quality of life, of which, they and their families had only dreamed".
Barry, you are loved and missed. PTSCH
Barry loved motorcycles and after his Dad put a helmet on him and sat him on a bike, Barry was hooked. His family supported his love for racing as they would travel on the weekends and camp at different race tracks.
Barry became quite good at his passion and many years would finish top 3 in the District. When he was old enough to drive he and his friends would venture to the races themselves.
Barry went to Grosse Ile High School and eventually starting working. His first job was at Al Petri and Sons, Bicycles. Barry loved the mechanical aspect of the bikes and this passion continued through his life.
Barry met a girl, Lori, who shared his passions. They were inseparable. They were married in Dec. of 1979 after they graduated high school. Barry had so much success with his racing that they decided Barry would race another year and try to become professionally sponsored. He raced in the Pontiac Silverdome again and another great year had started.
Sometimes life has other plans and when Barry found out he was going to be a daddy, his focus shifted from sponsorship to career. Barry and Lori made their home in Gibraltar and their son Anthony was born Dec. 11, 1980. Barry loved being a daddy and it wasn't long before Anthony was on a trike.
The two were one from the beginning. The hardcore broken bones motorcross rider became a soft, giggly man who would lay on the floor and play with his son. They were best friends for the rest of their lives.
Barry remained in the bicycle business for life, owning his own bike store in Berkley, MI building bicycle frames, rebuilding motorcycles, etc.
Barry and Lori dissolved their marriage but not their friendship. Barry found love again and married Beth, but again, it was not to be. Barry's love for bikes and motorcycles continued.
Anthony grew into a great young man and moved closer to his dad, staying with him until he was established on his own. Barry and Anthony were best friends and when they weren't together, they were on the phone.
Anthony passed away suddenly in 2006 and with him took such a huge part of Barry's heart that the hole could never be repaired. Barry tried to continue but life for him was a struggle because of the loss.
He continued to work on bicycles and motorcycles giving them new life while Barry's was slowly burning out. He missed his son but carried on with out passion.
Barry had such a great heart. He was a mentor to many young folks throughout his life and probably had no idea how he changed them with the time that he spent with them. He loved animals, his friends and neighbors. He would do anything for anyone, anytime and never expect anything in return. He was the type of guy that would give you his last dollar. His own comfort came last.
While doing something he loved, Barry suffered a terrible accident when his head hit the pavement during a test drive. He had innocently jumped on a moped and didn't take a moment to grab a helmet.
The injuries to his brain were too much and Barry passed away on July 24. Barry, true to his spirit of generosity, was a registered donor with the Gift of Life organization. His gift most likely saved two families from hurting like his family and friends are now.
Update: The Gift of Life organization notified us that Barry's kidneys were given to two recipients, "life saving donation gives recipients the opportunity for a quality of life, of which, they and their families had only dreamed".
Barry, you are loved and missed. PTSCH
Barry was born to Patricia (Dickerson) and Norman Riopelle on June 19, 1961. Pat and Norm had four children: Nicholas, Barry, Sheri and Penny (deceased). They grew up on Grosse Ile, Mi, fought like cats and dogs but would die to protect each other.
Barry loved motorcycles and after his Dad put a helmet on him and sat him on a bike, Barry was hooked. His family supported his love for racing as they would travel on the weekends and camp at different race tracks.
Barry became quite good at his passion and many years would finish top 3 in the District. When he was old enough to drive he and his friends would venture to the races themselves.
Barry went to Grosse Ile High School and eventually starting working. His first job was at Al Petri and Sons, Bicycles. Barry loved the mechanical aspect of the bikes and this passion continued through his life.
Barry met a girl, Lori, who shared his passions. They were inseparable. They were married in Dec. of 1979 after they graduated high school. Barry had so much success with his racing that they decided Barry would race another year and try to become professionally sponsored. He raced in the Pontiac Silverdome again and another great year had started.
Sometimes life has other plans and when Barry found out he was going to be a daddy, his focus shifted from sponsorship to career. Barry and Lori made their home in Gibraltar and their son Anthony was born Dec. 11, 1980. Barry loved being a daddy and it wasn't long before Anthony was on a trike.
The two were one from the beginning. The hardcore broken bones motorcross rider became a soft, giggly man who would lay on the floor and play with his son. They were best friends for the rest of their lives.
Barry remained in the bicycle business for life, owning his own bike store in Berkley, MI building bicycle frames, rebuilding motorcycles, etc.
Barry and Lori dissolved their marriage but not their friendship. Barry found love again and married Beth, but again, it was not to be. Barry's love for bikes and motorcycles continued.
Anthony grew into a great young man and moved closer to his dad, staying with him until he was established on his own. Barry and Anthony were best friends and when they weren't together, they were on the phone.
Anthony passed away suddenly in 2006 and with him took such a huge part of Barry's heart that the hole could never be repaired. Barry tried to continue but life for him was a struggle because of the loss.
He continued to work on bicycles and motorcycles giving them new life while Barry's was slowly burning out. He missed his son but carried on with out passion.
Barry had such a great heart. He was a mentor to many young folks throughout his life and probably had no idea how he changed them with the time that he spent with them. He loved animals, his friends and neighbors. He would do anything for anyone, anytime and never expect anything in return. He was the type of guy that would give you his last dollar. His own comfort came last.
While doing something he loved, Barry suffered a terrible accident when his head hit the pavement during a test drive. He had innocently jumped on a moped and didn't take a moment to grab a helmet.
The injuries to his brain were too much and Barry passed away on July 24. Barry, true to his spirit of generosity, was a registered donor with the Gift of Life organization. His gift most likely saved two families from hurting like his family and friends are now.
Update: The Gift of Life organization notified us that Barry's kidneys were given to two recipients, "life saving donation gives recipients the opportunity for a quality of life, of which, they and their families had only dreamed".
Barry, you are loved and missed. PTSCH
Barry loved motorcycles and after his Dad put a helmet on him and sat him on a bike, Barry was hooked. His family supported his love for racing as they would travel on the weekends and camp at different race tracks.
Barry became quite good at his passion and many years would finish top 3 in the District. When he was old enough to drive he and his friends would venture to the races themselves.
Barry went to Grosse Ile High School and eventually starting working. His first job was at Al Petri and Sons, Bicycles. Barry loved the mechanical aspect of the bikes and this passion continued through his life.
Barry met a girl, Lori, who shared his passions. They were inseparable. They were married in Dec. of 1979 after they graduated high school. Barry had so much success with his racing that they decided Barry would race another year and try to become professionally sponsored. He raced in the Pontiac Silverdome again and another great year had started.
Sometimes life has other plans and when Barry found out he was going to be a daddy, his focus shifted from sponsorship to career. Barry and Lori made their home in Gibraltar and their son Anthony was born Dec. 11, 1980. Barry loved being a daddy and it wasn't long before Anthony was on a trike.
The two were one from the beginning. The hardcore broken bones motorcross rider became a soft, giggly man who would lay on the floor and play with his son. They were best friends for the rest of their lives.
Barry remained in the bicycle business for life, owning his own bike store in Berkley, MI building bicycle frames, rebuilding motorcycles, etc.
Barry and Lori dissolved their marriage but not their friendship. Barry found love again and married Beth, but again, it was not to be. Barry's love for bikes and motorcycles continued.
Anthony grew into a great young man and moved closer to his dad, staying with him until he was established on his own. Barry and Anthony were best friends and when they weren't together, they were on the phone.
Anthony passed away suddenly in 2006 and with him took such a huge part of Barry's heart that the hole could never be repaired. Barry tried to continue but life for him was a struggle because of the loss.
He continued to work on bicycles and motorcycles giving them new life while Barry's was slowly burning out. He missed his son but carried on with out passion.
Barry had such a great heart. He was a mentor to many young folks throughout his life and probably had no idea how he changed them with the time that he spent with them. He loved animals, his friends and neighbors. He would do anything for anyone, anytime and never expect anything in return. He was the type of guy that would give you his last dollar. His own comfort came last.
While doing something he loved, Barry suffered a terrible accident when his head hit the pavement during a test drive. He had innocently jumped on a moped and didn't take a moment to grab a helmet.
The injuries to his brain were too much and Barry passed away on July 24. Barry, true to his spirit of generosity, was a registered donor with the Gift of Life organization. His gift most likely saved two families from hurting like his family and friends are now.
Update: The Gift of Life organization notified us that Barry's kidneys were given to two recipients, "life saving donation gives recipients the opportunity for a quality of life, of which, they and their families had only dreamed".
Barry, you are loved and missed. PTSCH
