Enrique L. "Ricky" Barrera

Mr. Enrique L. “Ricky” Barrera, 92, of Ellicottville, NY died November 2, 2017 following a short illness.

Born October 28, 1925 in Barcelona, Spain, he was the son of the late Jose and Carmen Lara Barrera.

He immigrated to the United States in 1950 and was married to Mercedes Barry Barrera, Derrick City, PA, who predeceased him. In 1982, he married Cheryl “Sheri” Vance Barrera.

Professor Barrera taught Spanish for 42 years in the Modern Language Department at St. Bonaventure University and founded and coached their men’s varsity soccer team for 17 seasons. He retired in 1995. In 2008, “Coach” Barrera was inducted into the St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame.

He had also owned and operated the Harness Shop Restaurant and co-owned the Crystal Palace Restaurant, in Ellicottville for many years.

As a ski instructor at Holiday Valley Resort, he taught for over 50 years and was a member of the Ellicottville Ski Club. He was also an avid golfer; and was known for his kindness and wonderful sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Sheri; daughters, Anneen, Susy, Maria and Laurie Barrera, Ellicottville, NY; son, Enrique “Rick” (Keely) Barrera, San Diego, CA; Sheri’s children, Julie Vance, Haines, AK, and Phillip (Elizabeth) Vance, Orchard Park, NY; grandsons, Hunter and Dylan Barrera, San Diego, CA, Phillip Jr. and Bode Vance, Orchard Park NY, Kadin and Koa Doddridge, Haines AK; sister-in-law, Theresa O’Rourke, Bonita Springs, FL and niece, Yolanda Barreros, Rye, NY; brothers-in-law, Herb Thomas, Northeast Harbor, ME and John Thomas, Ellicottville, NY; and several grand nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Jaime Barreros and niece, Ava Maria Barreros.

A private memorial mass will be held. There will be no visitation.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ellicottville/Great Valley Fire Department, PO Box 397, Ellicottville, NY 14731; or to a charity of choice.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.