Memories of a great leader and friend

Barry Adelman, Registered Pharmacist of blessed memory. 

Barry Adelman, A'H was a great friend and dare I add a tzaddik of sorts as well.  He was a pharmacist I came to know in my experiences as a Jewish youth in jewish youth group and with our reform synagogue.

Barry offered me what became a 2 year job as a pharmacy technician at then Fazio's and later changed names to Carl's pharmacy in Akron, OH.  He was the kindest, most astute and most intelligent of friends I have known.  We have kept a friendship until he was niftar (deceased) in April of 2005. 

Barry was a sports enthusiastist and a bowler, golfer and avid Ohio State Fan.   He attended college and pharmacy school at Ohio State University.  One entire room in his residence was decorated entirely as an Ohio State Motif.  He even had a piece of the field framed on the wall that was of huge value.

Barry taught me a ton.  I loved working after school for 3 hours 4 times a week in the pharmacy and 4-6 hours or so on Saturdays. (we were not shabbas observant, but I will attest that pharmacy work is a necessary endeavor that is health care and people need their drugs upon their day of prescription so I disagree that this is a violation of shabbas laws.  You cant tell me that you cant get a prescription of needed medications that are usually required on that day on Shabbas. I am not in Israel but imagine that even in the holy land this is a job. Let me know if I am wrong on this).

Barry enjoyed all sports, football, baseball etc.  He took me to my first and to date only Ohio State Football game and introduced me to a number of friends and professionals.  He was an avid baseball fan that I have seen few match.  I must say that working with Barry was a humane experience where by I learned utility, matters of monetary law, matters of faith and propriety and how to "cut the mustard". (a favorite expression of Barry's.  One day we were at a golf course and in the lounge we both ordered hotdogs.  He tried to apply mustard to his hot dog and the top of the container was not firmly attached.  It went all over the place, on the floor and on to himself.  Somewhere the expression "dont let them ever tell you that you can not cut the mustard came from him".. It may have been me that had the mustard spill over himself. I can not recall.  Maybe it was the proprietor.  I can not recall. But it was aptly said and quite funny.).

Barry is a true leader and maybe perhaps a tzaddik (a man of the highest degree of righteousness). I am sure he was a tzaddik.