Obituary of Barry Allen Rugg

New York, NY

Barry Rugg, 81, of New York City, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children on June 2, 2025.  Born on February 12, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY to Martin and Clara Rugg, Barry was the loving, cherished father of Jackie, Joe, and Ian and was the dedicated husband of Harriet who passed away in 2013.

Barry was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at New York University for 40 years.  He received his undergraduate degree and his PhD from NYU and remained on the faculty there until his retirement in 2018.   

Barry was an incredibly supportive and proud father and grandfather who celebrated every accomplishment of his children and grandchildren with great enthusiasm.  Barry had the ability to make everyone feel like they were important and he reveled in even the smallest successes achieved by those he loved. 

Barry loved the ocean.  Spending time at his house in East Hampton with his family where he could be close to the sea gave him great happiness. His passion for boating, fishing, and windsurfing was legendary and it gave him immense joy to share this passion with his children and grandchildren who are so grateful for all that he taught them.  Barry was also a wonderful photographer, chef, and dancer.  He could sew, build model airplanes, and fix anything that needed fixing.  To those in his life, it seemed like there was nothing Barry couldn’t do.

Barry is survived by his children Jackie, Joe, and Ian and their spouses Rich, Danielle, and Becca. His grandchildren Jenna, Jake, Ashley, Sophia, and Peyton.  His brother Arnold and sister Eileen and their spouses Elaine and Sid.  His nieces and nephews Samantha, Delilah, Isaac, Esther, and Elek.

Barry and his family are so grateful to the incredible team of doctors, PAs, nurses, PTs, and OTs at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

A graveside funeral service will take place on Wednesday June 4, 2025 at 1:30pm at the Congregation Ezrath Israel Synagogue Cemetery, Route 209, Wawarsing, NY.

Please consider a donation by visiting to https://medicine.givenow.columbia.edu/?alloc=15827#/giveonline

Arrangements are honorably entrusted to the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home - 845-794-7474 or www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com.