Barret Edward Pilatowski

Barret (Barry) Pilatowski 62, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly June 24th, 2025

at home. Barry was born December 1st, 1962 in Toledo to Robert and Shirley (Powers)

Pilatowski.

Barry attended Burroughs Elementary, Byrnedale Jr High and graduated from E.L.

Bowsher High School in 1981.

Barry had a passion for life that touched everyone who knew him. He found joy in

music, stereos, drag car racing, cooking, carpentry-and he brought the same dedication

and care to each of those loves. Right out of high school, he went to work for a local

stereo shop, turning his love for sound into a career. Before long, he built his own

business, Audio Visual Architecture (AVA), where he designed and installed sound

systems and home theaters for homes and businesses alike.

Later, Barry poured his energy into carpentry, working mostly for himself over the

years. He truly loved his craft and took immense pride in every job he did. He was

known for his meticulous work and his determination to make sure every customer was

completely happy-many trusted him so much they called him back again and again. To

Barry, a job wasn’t finished until it was done right.

To his sister Leslie, Barry was more than a brother-he was her rock. After the

heartbreaking losses of her husband Tim Bialecki in 2013 and her fiance’ Rick Gerding

in 2022, Barry did everything he could do to be there for her. He was always ready to

lend a hand, fix what needed fixing, and simply show up when she needed him most.

There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her..

Barry’s love for cars led him to work on NHRA pit crews, something he deeply enjoyed.

For decades, he helped Mancini Racing at the Carlisle Chrysler Car show in Pennsylvania

and other shows, where he found a second family among fellow car enthusiasts. He

loved spending time at the Norwalk track and was looking forward to the changes at

the Milan Race Track this summer.

In his free time, Barry loved the freedom of bike riding. Almost every evening and

weekend, he’d toss his bike in his truck and head for the peaceful trails of local parks,

Maumee Bay Park or the shores of Lake Erie near Port Clinton, Catawba, and

Marblehead-his favorite places to ride and unwind.

Barry is survived by his loving sister, Leslie Bialecki, his Uncle Jim Mann, Ricky, Katelyn,

Cooper and Cameron, many cousins and close friends, his loyal cat Buddy, and his

beloved 1996 Dodge Ram Truck-a symbol of the simple things that brought him joy. He

was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Shirley, grandparents John and Mary

Pilatowski and Everett and Mildred Powers, his brother-in-law Tim Bialecki, his almost

brother-in-law Rick Gerding, and many dear aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of Barry’s life will be held at a later date, where family and friends will

gather to share stories, laughter and the love he so freely gave.