Barry Michael Pikolas
July 19, 1949 ~ January 28, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Barry Michael Pikolas
Asheville, NC ~ Barry Michael Pikolas, 59, of Asheville, passed into eternal life on Wednesday, January 28, 2009.
A native of Lancaster, PA, he was a son of the late Tony and Helen Simmons Pikolas.
Barry attended J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, where he was a co-captain of the track team and played football. He was also inducted into the J.P. McCaskey Hall of Fame, where his shot put record, set in 1967, still stands to this day. After high school, he enrolled at West Chester University, where he pursued weightlifting and held the national collegiate record for the dead-lift.
Barry was passionate about antiques, fishing, the beach and nature in general. Most importantly, his daughters and granddaughter are his true "Hall of Fame".
He will be greatly missed and always loved by his two daughters, Brooke Babiker and her husband, Sami, of Asheville and Ashley Pikolas and Randy Graffa and their daughter, Kaia Yalena Sage Graffa, also of Asheville and one brother, John Pikolas and his wife, Beverly, of Lancaster, PA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to one's local Boys and Girls Club of America (www.bgca.org).
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, NC is assisting the family.
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Barry and I go back to his days of delivering paper for GB. He was always a straight shooter and his love of his girls was without end. They were the most important thing in his life and the center of his world. I will miss his wit and his ability to see through all the distractions of life and appreciate the real blessings that life has to offer.
Barry and I go back to his days of delivering paper for GB. He was always a straight shooter and his love of his girls was without end. They were the most important thing in his life and the center of his world. I will miss his wit and his ability to see through all the distractions of life and appreciate the real blessings that life has to offer.
Brooke and Ashley, so sorry for your loss. Barry was really a fun guy, and had a great sens of humor.I enjoyed being his friend. Ray and Colleen
I am saddened to hear of the loss of Barry, a fellow collector and acquaintance of mine.
Brooke and Ashley, I am so sorry you have lost your Dad. I wish you comfort during your grief.
Ashley and Brooke, Sami and Randy and little Kaia,
We pray for your peace and comfort at this time and send our deepest condolences.
Bonnie, Tedd and Jessica
Brooke and Ashley,
I am so sorry to hear about your Father. I know what a difficult time this is – keep your memories and your love of him close by to help you through the rough times.
Brooke and Ashley,
I was saddened to hear of your father’s death this morning. He was surely alot of fun and I’m sure you have many nice memories that will last forever. My thoughts are with you.
We always loved Barry’s visits to our shop. His excitement over finding his newest treasure for his collection will be missed.
Smokey Park Antique Mall
Candler, NC
Barry – we’ll have many acquantiances in our life time……but the number of true friends are small. I’ve been fortunate to include you among my friends.
Ashley and Brooke I am so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you. Your father was a good man, a compassionate man, and will be greatly missed.
Dear Asheley and Brooke,
It was a terrible shock to hear about your Dad, I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad to have known him and will miss him.
ann and family, i am sorry to here about barry’s passing. i worked with him at garrett buchanan in the early/mid 1980’s. he was a great friend and co-worker. i have great memories of our battles with the unions and managing the overall operations. he was a great guy! take care, bill gerlach
I miss you so much Dad-I light this candle for you in your memory-you are with me every day, in my heart always.
Coach, I miss you. I know that you’re close and can hear my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for everything, you still are and will always be The Man.
the strongset of the strong, I had the great fortune as a teenager of lifting at the ‘y’ with Barry, Mike and Ray Mentzer, Bubbles Christian, Mel Ruth, Nate Newcomer, Joe Hauck in addition to a whole host of other strongmen who made the ‘y’ a very memorable place.
Barry was in a class by himself, fantastic back and leg strength and shotputter whose records still stand at Mccaskey. He was a role model for sure !!! God bless you and may peace be with you.
Dad-You are going to be a Poppou again! I know you are with me and your grandson who will join us July 10th. He will know you and love you just like we all do. The pain of missing you never ever goes away. I Love you so much and I thank you for the strength I know you have given to me through these past few years. AHAW Brooke
You are missed so much. Both of your daughters were truly blessed to have you as a father, teacher and role-model. Anyone that had the privilege of sharing a relationship with you gained a piece of life’s beauty. Ashley is such an amazing mother and is now passing down your wisdom and moral principles to our beautiful daughter. I also see Brooke sharing the same values with her amazing boy. Thank you for all that you have given to everyone. The legacy you leave behind will forever live on through our children and children’s children. Much love to you papou.