Barry A Wingard, MD, MS, FACS
Barry Alan Wingard, age 73, died October 1, 2022 after a two year struggle with bladder cancer. Born December 9,1948 in Johnstown, son of Algie Calvin Wingard and Margaret Ellen Christensen. Graduated near the top of his high school class, was granted a full National Merit Scholarship to attend Harvard College. He lived in Dunster House, where he first met many lifelong friends, played freshman basketball and was active in the Phillips Brooks Houser Association.
Upon graduation, worked as a cardiovascular pump technician and clinical research assistant at Children’s Hospital of Boston while attending Boston University’s night school for four years taking pre-medicine classes. He went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine followed by a General Surgery Residency at York Hospital. During a sabbatical, he studied at the Guangxi Medical School in China. He completed a Fellowship in Colorectal Surgery at the Lahey Clinic. He obtained two board surgical certifications and later earned a Master of Administrative Medicine at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
He was a man of varied interests, a voracious reader, youth basketball and baseball coach, kindergarten religious education instructor, traveler to Jerusalem, and collector of cherished dirt from the warning track at Fenway. Cheered the Mountaineers, the Steelers and the Red Sox. Active in the Knights of Columbus and was a Cursillo participant. Had an American flag waving on his front porch, supported the Military and was a loving and forgiving father.
Survived by wife Jane (Pyryt), children Adam (Grace) Wingard of Denver, Colorado, Susan Baker (Eric) of Mechanicsburg, Sergeant Robert (Malinda) Wingard of Enola, Katie Wingard of York, Michael Westwick (Stephanie) of Sterling, Virginia along with sister, Donna Young of Columbia and brother-in-law Frank Pyryt (Jodi) of Mechanicsburg, seven precious grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Carol Cottingham, the mother of his children.
A heartfelt thank you to family and friends who prayed and emotionally supported Barry during his difficult struggle and especially during his final days. Barry was brave, determined and highly motivated as he fought for everyday so he could remain with his five children. Cancer was his Cross and he bore it with dignity. A special thank you to Dr. Matthew Kaag, MD, a brilliant surgeon, that provided Barry an opportunity to live longer.
On October 5, 2022, a visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at his church, Our Lady of Lourdes, 225 Salt Road, Enola, Pa. A Mass will be celebrated immediately following the visitation. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 1313 S York Street, Mechanicsburg.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wingard family.