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Celebrating the life of
Barry Jay Ostrow
Passed away on August 24, 2019
Barry Jay Ostrow died Saturday, August 24, 2019. He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY, son of the late Benjamin and Beatrice Wayne Ostrow. He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School and Ithaca College with a degree in radio and television and attended a master’s program in communications at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.
Barry began his career in communications at WTOP-TV where he was on the television production staff working primarily with CBS News. He was involved with network news programs such as President John F. Kennedy’s Cuban Missile Crisis speech, presidential news conferences and special events, the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and Calendar with Harry Reasoner.
Following U.S. Army service as a television director with the Armed Forces Korea Network in Seoul, he worked as a director at WETA-TV in Washington, DC and WBZ-TV in Boston, MA. Later he worked as department head for biomedical communications at Bell & Howell and television division manager for Scientific Communications, both in Chicago, IL. In the cable television industry, he guided television production in the northeast region of TelePrompTer. Since his retirement in January 2010, he has been a freelance writer with the Savannah Morning News, Business in Savannah, Coastal Senior, and Coastal Family.
Barry spent 31 years guiding communications programs in educational settings, including Richmond (VA) Public Schools, Lee County (FL) Public Schools, Savannah-Chatham Public Schools, South College, and Armstrong Atlantic State University. He is the recipient of more than three dozen awards for individual writing, publications, PSAs, commercials, media relations, and marketing campaigns from the Savannah Advertising Federation, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, American Film Festival, IC Views, Georgia Board of Education, the Florida Education Council, The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and its state affiliates in Georgia and Florida. He wrote Marketing Your Schools published by NSPRA in 1987.
His experience with the military in South Korea, led to a lifelong passion for travel and he has visited more than 30 countries.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Judi Lynne Ostrow of Seattle, WA.
Surviving are his daughter Amy Ostrow Stewart, her husband Bradley, and a grandson John Cabell Stewart of Savannah; his son Jeffrey Adam Ostrow, his wife Heather, and two granddaughters, Charlotte Katherine and Grace Alexandra Ostrow of Buford, GA; and his son Kenneth L. Ostrow, his wife Karys, and a granddaughter, Avalon Leanne Ostrow of Orlando, FL.
At his request, there will be no memorial.
Remembrances: American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, and LifeLink of Georgia.
Jeff and Family: What a great photo you chose of Barry! He looks so happy. I wish I had spoken to him about his travels. I was sorry to read that he had died, but I feel he had tired of his lack of independence. Given how much he enjoyed traveling, it must have been very difficult for him to tolerate his hospital stay. I am happy I got to know Barry just a bit! Kathy
- Kathy Schaefer, Savannah, GA
Barry was a wonderful colleague while working at South University; he in his field of communications mine in HR. We often took opposing views on everything from politics to journalistic honesty; always a robust debate enjoyed by both. After his retirement we continued to talk, discuss, disagree on a variety of current events, often through Facebook or private emails. Truly a most interesting person and one I will always call "my friend." RIP Perhaps we can/will communicate with each other it time and pick up exactly where we left off. Paul Pederson
- Paul J Pederson, Landrum, SC
Very sorry for your loss Jeff and Heather- Rest in Peace.
- James Cichy, Cumming , GA
I am so sad to hear of Barry's passing, although I knew he had not been well. He was always a gentleman and sweet about friends and rescue animals. RIP Barry.
- Carole Romig, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear of Barry's passing. My sincere sympathies and condolences.
- Harold Eschwege, San Diego, CA
Barry was always willing to share stories and his low-key sense of humor. I'm sorry we've lost this world traveler. Peace and love to you as you remember his many wonderful qualities.
- Letty Shearer, Lynchburg, Virginia
Barry was a dear man. A good friend and a true mentor. I will remember him for his sweet demeanor and gentle humor. Sending his family wishes for love and peace.
- Stacy Jennings, Savannah, Georgia
Peace and prayers for all of you, Ken, you definitely were blessed with a wonderful father.
- Rose Savage, Lake City, FL
Barry was a good friend and neighbor. I used to take care of his dog (Annie) when he traveled. This is such sad news. Prayers to his family. I hope Annie has met Barry on the other side.
- Jennifer Deuster, Savannah, Ga
Condolences to the family of Barry from the Poughkeepsie High School class of 1958. He will be placed on our deceased list who we honor at our gatherings Judy (Neville) VanVoorhis Class chairman
- Judy VanVoorhis, Poughkeepsie, NY
Sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your father. My association at the BOE central office with Barry during the '90s was always a positive one, and I appreciated the wide range of experiences and talents he brought to his position. A mutual love of travel and its tales kept waiting time before meetings interesting. May you find comfort in your shared memories of his life.
- Cheryl Clemens, Savannah, Georgia
My sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Barry. May you find refuge in our loving God. “He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you.” -1 Peter 5:10
- Alice Graham, Newport News, VA
A beautiful obituary detailing a life well-lived, and the perfect photo to go with it. My condolences on your loss.
- Betty Darby, Savannah, GA
Thinking of you, Amy and Jeff, and your families. So sad! Interesting obituary!
- Liz Jameson , Tallahassee , FL
We love you and miss you so much already, daddy-o. Sunrise, sunset.
- Amy, Brad, & Cabell, Savannah , GA
Very sorry for your loss, Barry was a good man. We love you
- The Finney’s , Largo , Florida
A candle has been lit!
- Jacque , Georg
Jeff and Family: What a great photo you chose of Barry! He looks so happy. I wish I had spoken to him about his travels. I was sorry to read that he had died, but I feel he had tired of his lack of independence. Given how much he enjoyed traveling, it must have been very difficult for him to tolerate his hospital stay. I am happy I got to know Barry just a bit! Kathy
- Kathy Schaefer, Savannah, GA
Barry was a wonderful colleague while working at South University; he in his field of communications mine in HR. We often took opposing views on everything from politics to journalistic honesty; always a robust debate enjoyed by both. After his retirement we continued to talk, discuss, disagree on a variety of current events, often through Facebook or private emails. Truly a most interesting person and one I will always call "my friend." RIP Perhaps we can/will communicate with each other it time and pick up exactly where we left off. Paul Pederson
- Paul J Pederson, Landrum, SC
Very sorry for your loss Jeff and Heather- Rest in Peace.
- James Cichy, Cumming , GA
I am so sad to hear of Barry's passing, although I knew he had not been well. He was always a gentleman and sweet about friends and rescue animals. RIP Barry.
- Carole Romig, Savannah, GA
So sorry to hear of Barry's passing. My sincere sympathies and condolences.
- Harold Eschwege, San Diego, CA
Barry was always willing to share stories and his low-key sense of humor. I'm sorry we've lost this world traveler. Peace and love to you as you remember his many wonderful qualities.
- Letty Shearer, Lynchburg, Virginia
Barry was a dear man. A good friend and a true mentor. I will remember him for his sweet demeanor and gentle humor. Sending his family wishes for love and peace.
- Stacy Jennings, Savannah, Georgia
Peace and prayers for all of you, Ken, you definitely were blessed with a wonderful father.
- Rose Savage, Lake City, FL
Barry was a good friend and neighbor. I used to take care of his dog (Annie) when he traveled. This is such sad news. Prayers to his family. I hope Annie has met Barry on the other side.
- Jennifer Deuster, Savannah, Ga
Condolences to the family of Barry from the Poughkeepsie High School class of 1958. He will be placed on our deceased list who we honor at our gatherings Judy (Neville) VanVoorhis Class chairman
- Judy VanVoorhis, Poughkeepsie, NY
Sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your father. My association at the BOE central office with Barry during the '90s was always a positive one, and I appreciated the wide range of experiences and talents he brought to his position. A mutual love of travel and its tales kept waiting time before meetings interesting. May you find comfort in your shared memories of his life.
- Cheryl Clemens, Savannah, Georgia
My sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Barry. May you find refuge in our loving God. “He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you.” -1 Peter 5:10
- Alice Graham, Newport News, VA
A beautiful obituary detailing a life well-lived, and the perfect photo to go with it. My condolences on your loss.
- Betty Darby, Savannah, GA
Thinking of you, Amy and Jeff, and your families. So sad! Interesting obituary!
- Liz Jameson , Tallahassee , FL
We love you and miss you so much already, daddy-o. Sunrise, sunset.
- Amy, Brad, & Cabell, Savannah , GA
Very sorry for your loss, Barry was a good man. We love you
- The Finney’s , Largo , Florida
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200