Barry A. GRIDLEY

Barry A. GRIDLEY, 86, of Wellsville, NY, died Friday, September 12, 2025 in Jones Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.

Born November 7, 1938, in Blossburg, PA, he was the son of William A. and Marguerite G. Hitzel Gridley. On June 18, 1977, in Wellsville, he married Linda S. Ackley, who survives.

A 1956 graduate of Galeton Area High School, he served honorably with the U.S. Army Infantry and Signal Corps as a Draftsman and Illustrator from 1957 – 1959. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in 1973 and a MBA from Syracuse University in 1977.

Barry was employed by Air Preheater in Wellsville from 1959 – 1995, holding many positions including Manager of Information Systems and Manager of Manufacturing Systems. He was certified in Data Processing by the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) and the Institute of Computer Professionals in 1978. He was also Certified as a fellow in Production & Inventory Management by the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) in 1981. Following retirement, he joined Summit Technology Solutions Inc. as a consultant for Cooper Power Systems, Rotating Machinery Technology, Giant Foods, Inc. (developing systems for Y2K conversions) and Ajilon Services, Inc. In 1999, he joined Century 21 Southern Tier Reality as a salesman and broker. He earned the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation in 2008 and the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation in 2010.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church Council, Knights of Columbus Council 919 in Wellsville, Olean Assembly 721, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and a former member of Toastmasters International. Barry coached Little League baseball and soccer for five years. He served as chairman of the Immaculate Conception School 500 Club for ten years and was an active committee member of the annual Ridgewalk & Run for 12 years.

He will be remembered for his unique sense of humor, the colorful nicknames he gave to everyone around him, his devotion as a father who dedicated his life to his family, and his love of carpentry as an amateur “woodhick” - the name he probably gave himself.

Surviving besides his wife, Linda, are: three children, Bernard (Monica) Gridley of Walworth, Chelsea (Stephen) Gridley-Smith of Germantown, MD, and Matthew Gridley of San Francisco, CA; four grandchildren, Garrett Smith, Abigail Smith, Reagan Smith, and Benjamin Gridley; a sister, Margot Howard of Pittsburgh, PA and Seattle, WA; nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Bernard Gridley and William A. Gridley.

Friends may call at J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 34 W. State Street, Wellsville on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 10:00 – 10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Thursday in Immaculate Conception Church, Wellsville.

Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wellsville. Military Rites will be accorded by members of the Wellsville American Legion Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to the SPCA serving Allegany County or the Hart Comfort House.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com