Barry Irwin Trudel

Barry Irwin Trudel, age 84, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on December 6, 2025. He spent his last days surrounded by the love of his family. Born on September 1, 1941 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the cusp of World War II, Barry grew up in a time when work was scarce and values ran deep.

Barry spent most of his childhood in Schodack, New York, and Scituate, Massachusetts, where he learned the value of responsibility early — milking cows before school, caring for the family’s farm animals, and building a mischievous spirit that never entirely left him. His family eventually settled back in Scituate, where Barry graduated from Scituate High School in 1959.

After graduation, Barry enlisted in the United States Air Force, proudly serving at Dover Air Force Base and later at a remote site near Keflavík, Iceland. His time in the service shaped him, matured him, and gave him lifelong stories he loved to share.

Following his honorable discharge, Barry joined the rest of his family who had moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he began working toward a future inspired by his father. Barry always admired his father’s natural ability to connect with people and sell. Wanting to follow in those footsteps, he set his sights on a career in sales.

He started in the food industry, working tirelessly in warehouses, distribution centers, and even at a 7-Eleven to prove himself. His dedication soon earned him a full Florida–Georgia sales territory– a milestone he spoke of with real pride. Eventually, Barry found his true calling in commercial truck sales, where his honesty, humor and genuine care for people set him apart. He devoted 47 years selling trucks at Chevrolet dealerships across Jacksonville, becoming a trusted figure to decades of loyal customers. Even after retiring from Nimnicht Chevrolet in December 2022, many still asked for him by name.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Renée Trudel II and Frances May Staszesky Trudel, his brother Albert Renée Trudel III, and his first wife Sarah Ann Tervin Trudel Knight.

He is survived by his devoted wife Carol, his sister Gretchen, his children Lance, Lee Ann (Jeremy), and Amy (Allen), and his beloved grandchildren: Ciana, Taylor, Terry Jr., Blake, Trevor, Carlee, and Emilee along with many dear friends.

Outside of work, Barry loved the outdoors. He enjoyed horses, horseback riding, and deep-sea fishing, and in his later decades found tremendous joy in caring for his 12-acre property — mowing, clearing woods, and working his tractor with unwavering determination. One of his proudest accomplishments was building a two-story barn in 2001, with his wife Carol and the help of close friends Bill and Pearl.

Barry faced his final years with the same grit that carried him through life. Even while battling several serious health conditions, he remained active, stubbornly independent, and full of spirit. He had, as his family often said, “no quit in him.”

He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, humor, resilience, and love — and countless stories that his family will cherish forever.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on January 7th at Hardage-Giddens Memorial Park Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. A light luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a gift to the Riverside Park United Methodist Church (819 Park Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204) in memory of Barry and directing the gift to either Margaret’s Memories (a bereavement memory box project for families experiencing pregnancy loss) or the Wednesday Night Ministries (providing meals to those in need).