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Barry lived ninety purposeful years, including founding and growing a successful roofing supply business (Bradco Supply) and, following its sale, devoting himself to several major philanthropic endeavors. The first of these took the form of Segal Family Foundation, born of a life-changing trip to Rwanda in 2008 inspired by the Clinton Global Initiative. The visit opened his eyes to Sub-Saharan Africa as a region of the world where he could make a meaningful mark supporting local, grassroots organizations. Segal Family Foundation is now one of the most impactful American funders in Africa — second only to the Gates Foundation by number of grants — and was honored with Catalyst 2030’s Overall Best Donor award in 2023.
Barry was someone who noticed problems, called them out, and actually did something about them. In his own words, “I got involved in philanthropy because a lot of things bother me — things like corporate greed, profiting off prisons, and the failure of institutions to protect children from abuse, to name a few. I also feel fortunate to be in a position where I can use my wealth to help those who don’t have the same opportunities I did.” In 2015, he founded Focus for Health to alleviate inequities in the United States — and next came Focus Central America, in 2021, to address the issues fueling forced migration in the region.
These three foundations are staffed by mission-driven teams and operate under Segal Philanthropies which is now led by his son, Martin. Each year his charitable giving amounts to $22 million in unrestricted funding distributed to over 600 organizations globally at a median grant size of $20,000.
Barry lived his life very much on his own terms, still going into the Segal Philanthropies offices daily at the age of 90. It was his wish that more wealthy individuals would share their fortunes and invest in making life better for others. His hope was that this work would continue long after he was gone. It will.
He hoped that other people would see Segal Philanthropies’ efforts, care about them, and do likewise. “It’s hard to make big changes in the world, but every time you help lift a child out of poverty and give them access to education, you contribute to improving our world,” he said. So, in lieu of flowers, his family suggests that memorial contributions be made to support Focus for Health grantee organizations whose work includes combatting child sexual abuse, advancing criminal justice reform, and addressing social determinants of health.
A man of many passions including sports — particularly tennis, which he played avidly into his eighties — Barry was the proud patriarch of a large and loving family. He was a devoted father to six children, an admired father-in-law, and a cherished grandfather to fifteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
He was also a mentor and lifelong friend to many; his generosity touched more lives than can be counted. His legacy will live on through his family, his friends, his business and philanthropic achievements, and the countless lives he changed around the world. He will be deeply missed, and his influence and vision will continue to resonate for generations to come.