Obituary: Bernard “Barry” Potlock

Bernard “Barry” Potlock passed away on Dec. 21, 2022. Born in Baltimore, Md., on Dec. 6, 1931, he was 91, and still making us laugh until the very end. Barry was pre-deceased by his mother, Rose, father Morris, and sister, Harriet. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, his “one and only,” who was the love of his life for more than 70 years.

Barry was extremely proud of his service in the United States Navy in the early 1950s, when he participated in post-war peacekeeping operations in the European Mediterranean. He and Elaine were married in April 1952, and after their two children were born, the young family moved to Miami, Fla., where he began his career in the insurance industry, becoming a well-respected safety engineer. In Florida, he enjoyed leadership roles in the B’nai B’rith organization, having served as both the president of the Gilbert Balkin Lodge in Miami and as the president of the Florida Association of B’nai B’rith Lodges. After moving to Atlanta in 1977, Barry began his own successful business, Southern Consultant Services, which served clients throughout the southeast for nearly 30 years.

Barry participated in the arts and liked to tell the story about how he got in a bit of trouble at the Peabody Conservatory, where he studied piano as a teenager, when he and some friends cheerfully launched into playing “Boogie Woogie” when they thought the teacher was out of the room.

After retirement in 1997, Barry and Elaine enjoyed traveling as well as volunteering with the Atlanta History Center for many years. Barry loved his family and was always available to offer sound advice if asked. Barry is survived by his wife, Elaine; children, Jay Potlock (Mary Kay) and Fran Putney (Taylor); grandchildren, Carolyn Potlock, Kevin Potlock, Maddie Putney (Leigh Estrada) and Jordan Putney; and great-grandson, Payton Potlock-Pizano.

Donations may be made to the Anti-Defamation League or The Temple’s Cantor Deborah Hartman Musician in Residence Fund. A graveside service took place on Thursday, Dec. 22, at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Dressler’s.