Barrie Joel Metz

Barrie Joel Metz
November 23, 1944 – September 7, 2025
Barrie Joel Metz, born on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, passed
away peacefully on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at his home in Sacramento, California.
Barrie grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University and Cleveland State as an
undergraduate. Barrie completed his Master’s degree in Social Work at California State
University, Chico.
As a young man, Barrie’s adventurous spirit took him on extensive travels by land throughout the
Middle East and Central Asia. In Israel he worked on Kibbutz Malkya where he met his first
wife Janet Rosenblum also from Cleveland, Ohio. Barrie and Jan later returned to the United
States and relocated to Northern California where they raised two daughters.
Throughout his career, Barrie dedicated many years of service to the California Department of
Mental Health and the Department of Corrections. It was there that he met his second wife, Mary
Kelly, who also worked for the State of California.
Barrie and Mary shared a love of adventure and spent many happy years traveling around the
country in their motor home. For years, they owned a second home on Sanibel Island in Florida,
where they made cherished memories together. Other favorite trips included visits to Hawaii, and
the occasional return to Cleveland.
Barrie was a passionate gardener with a green thumb and he shared his talents and his crops with
friends and neighbors. He was an avid yogi for over 50 years - he did yoga and Tai Chi daily
until the end of his life. Barrie also took up painting as a regular hobby later in his life and filled
his home with the artwork and painting and art he created. Throughout it all, Barrie journaled
his life in great detail. These journals cemented the truth that Barrie was, without question, a
modern-day, free-spirited renaissance man.
Barrie is survived by his wife, Mary Kelley-Metz, and daughters Elana (Marlene White) and
Samara, as well as stepdaughter Erin Kelley. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to Nia
Metz-White, Oliver Metz-White, and Safi Peragallo.
He is also survived by his siblings Tonnie (Sandy) Alliance, Andy Metz Malitz (Tammy), and
Jodee Malitz Fox, and a large extended family of nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind
countless lifelong friends who will carry his memory forward.
Barrie was a witty and engaging conversationalist who loved to talk and tell stories to all who
would listen. He will be remembered for his warmth, humor and big personality. Many close
friends and family enjoyed his stories and companionship.
A celebration of Barrie’s life will be held in Sacramento, California in November where friends
and family will gather to share memories and honor his remarkable legacy.

Donations in Barrie’s blessed memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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