Barry M Hudock's Obituary
Barry Micheal Hudock, 57, of Palm Harbor, Florida, was called home from his earthly life to be with the Lord on July 29, 2026, surrounded by his family, after battling bile duct cancer for almost four years.
Barry was born in Punxsutawney, PA, on March 31st, 1969, the first of two sons of Michael Hudock and the late Judy Hudock. Barry was loved in life as a husband, father, nonno, brother, son, nephew, cousin, uncle, godfather, spiritual guide, and friend. Barry will be remembered for his wisdom, intelligence, and unwavering value of his family. He touched each person in his life with kindness and left them with more perspective than when he met them with. He had an impressive book collection, created beautiful art, cooked mouth watering meals, and told stories that could make a room burst into laughter or tears. Barry himself laughed so infectiously and memorably that it left an impression on the people around him, and it will be missed.
On March 26, 2005, Barry married his great love and best friend, Antoinette Hudock, who survives him, along with his seven children: Brittany (Nicholas) Deleon of Tarpon Springs, FL, Jacob Hudock of St. Cloud, MN, Gianna (Connor) Reed of Maple Grove, MN, Hope Hudock of Largo, FL, Nicholas Hudock of Waite Park, MN, Cecilia Hudock of Tarpon Springs, FL, and Abigail Hudock of Palm Harbor, FL, and his two granddaughters: Loretta and Francesca. Barry is also survived by his father Michael Hudock of Canoe Ridge Township, PA and brother, Marc Hudock of Plainfield, NJ.
In high school, Barry was President of the class of 1987 at PAHS where he also received the Class Hearts Award. The Class Hearts award is a special peer-voted recognition given to a graduating senior who made a special impact on their classmates. In 1991, Barry graduated with an English degree from Gannon University in Erie, where he was awarded the Gannon Medal of Honor, which is presented to the graduating senior who has done the most to further the interests of the University to foster loyal college spirit, and to carry out the ideals of the Christian life. Following graduation from Gannon, Barry felt a call to
become a priest and was appointed to the Pontifical Gregorian University, an international seminary in Rome, Italy. During the summers while in seminary, Barry volunteered to become chaplain in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany. On April 27, 1996, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Erie by Bishop Donald Troutman. The Diocese asked Barry to continue his theological studies at Catholic University in Washington D.C., where he earned a License in Sacred Theology (STL) in 1998. Later, he returned to serve in the Diocese of Erie. In 2005, Barry requested to be returned to the laity, which was granted approval by Pope John Paul II.
Following his time in ministry as a priest, Barry exercised his faith in Christ and great love of the Church and Her theology in many ways. He became a respected author, publisher, copy-editor, and translator. He authored titles such as, "Eucharist: The Churches Treasure”, “Saints for Our Times - Novenas and Prayers”, “Faith Meets World - The Gift and Challenge of Catholic Social Teaching”, “Struggle, Condemnation, Vindication - John Courtney Murray’s Journey toward Vatican II”. He also worked for a time as Director of Christian Help and ABLE Families, non-profit organizations focused on Appalachian poverty in Mingo County, West Virginia. More recently, he worked for Liturgical Press and then his own consulting business, IdeaHouse, which offered publishing, translation, and editing services for Catholic authors and publishers.
Barry was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Judy, his paternal grandparents Francis and Mary Hudock and his maternal grandparents Joseph and Mary Salvaggio.
To know Barry was to know his family; he valued them so highly, and it was seen in
everything he did. And now, the love that Barry instilled in his family will live on through them, in memory of him.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, August 1st at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Clearwater, FL. A memorial mass and internment service will also be scheduled for Barry in Punxsutawney, PA later with more details to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the fundraising for the building of St. Agnes Secondary School, in Chipole, Songea Region, Tanzania, to provide pre-college and women’s skills education for the children who live there. In life, Barry was a close friend of Sister Gallusiana Mgaya, who works directly with this project. Any donations can be made to her: Sister Gallusiana Mgaya, PO Box 505, St. Martin, MN
56376.
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