Barry Lutz

Barry Lutz, 72, of Philadelphia, died from an illness. He was a social activist, an entrepreneur, and a teacher.  

Social activism came early to Barry as he was greatly influenced by the Vietnam war. He started an underground newspaper at his high school and worked on the McGovern campaign for President. Later, he was a community organizer for Citizens for a Safer Philadelphia and Director of a Parents Union for Better Schools. Barry was involved in a few business ventures including becoming a landlord, founder of Replique International Fashion Jewelry stores, and Club Equator nightclub. In later years, he became an insurance agent for Abat’s Title and Tags. His first teaching experience was in Nigeria where he taught secondary school. He returned to teaching at night in the English as a Second Language program at Community College of Philadelphia.  

Barry was born to Jack and Mae (Goldstein) Lutz and raised in the Plymouth Whitemarsh community near Philadelphia. He participated in student activities, the Boy Scouts, his synagogue’s youth group, and learning folk songs on the guitar from George Britton. He graduated Plymouth Whitemarsh in 1969 before pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree at Webster College in St. Louis. He later earned a master’s in communication from Glassboro (now Rowan) University.  

Barry met Shareema Bryan and her daughter, Khyania, in 1998. He enjoyed the role of father so much that he and Shareema added Journee, Harry, and William to the family. Barry and Shareema married in 2009.

Barry will be remembered for his devotion to family, his intelligence, his humor, and his storytelling. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a younger brother Philip (Joanna Czerepowicz) and nephew, Adam Lutz. Per his request, there was no funeral and his remains have been cremated. A Celebration of Life will take place on April 27, 5PM to 8PM, at the Urban Art Gallery, 262 S. 52^nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19139.