Barry F. Hudgin

HUDGIN, BARRY F., a noted healthcare attorney, devoted husband, and widely-loved friend, died at home on February 16, 2025, after a long battle with cancer and Parkinson’s Disease. He was born in Toledo on September 7, 1959, to his late parents Eileen Morrissey Hudgin and C. Joseph Hudgin. Raised on Evansdale Avenue in Toledo, Ohio, along with his brother, Christopher Hudgin, Barry was educated at St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo, John Carroll University in Cleveland, and the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In 1988 he met Denise Davies at a Red Cross blood drive she helped organize (he sometimes playfully referred to her as “blood woman”). They were married on October 4, 1997, after which they enjoyed a loving marriage for over 27 years.

In 1984, following his admission to the Ohio Bar, he became an associate attorney at Marshall & Melhorn; in 1990, he joined Schnorf & Schnorf in Toledo. In 2002 he began as Regional Legal Counsel for Mercy Health Partners, eventually rising to Senior Vice President and General Counsel. In 2012, Barry became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Sylvania Franciscan Health, where he led the sale of the health system. His employment with SFH ended in 2016, a year after the sale, and he began substitute teaching in Washington Local Schools. Clients and coworkers appreciated his infectious, bounding laugh, approachable manner, and genuine willingness to help.

Barry loved being a hospital attorney. He compared hospitals to cities in the sense that each has its own personality and delivers services that help people 24 hours per day, every day of the year. He took pride in the new healthcare facilities he helped build, the added services, supporting the direct care providers, and the resulting positive additions to patient care and society.

At various points in his career, Barry was Chairman of the Toledo Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, the Toledo Bar Association Citizens Dispute Settlement Program, and Rescue Mental Health and Addiction Services, a professional behavioral healthcare organization. He was a supporter and board member of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

Barry’s exceptional number of friends across Toledo and the country knew him as reliably good-humored, fun, loyal, and “just a really good person.” He was immensely proud of his best friends, who were the members of his high school freshman-year homeroom class, some of whom he knew in grade school. He became friends with many of his legal clients, as well as with those he opposed in court. Known for his remarkable ability to write complicated first-draft legal briefs that required almost no editing, Barry was highly intelligent, but he preferred to refer to his abilities as “good at school,” to highlight the fact that people can be intelligent without being good at school.

He was a familiar figure around Howard Marsh Metropark and Wiregrass Lake Metropark, where he kayaked. Among his other preferred activities were reading (especially about American history and organized crime figures), watching old movies, debating politics and world events, gym exercise, bike riding, and trying new restaurants. He truly loved Toledo.

Barry is survived by his wife, Denise Hudgin; brother, Rev. Christopher Hudgin OSFS; mother-in-law, Dolores Davies; sister-in-law, Karen Rehkopf (Jeff); brother-in-law, Dan Davies (Carole); nieces Bailey Rehkopf and Ashley Kander (Ryan); nephews Aidan Rehkopf and Chris Wallace (Andrea); godchildren; many honorary nieces and nephews and countless friends from all parts of his life. He will be sorely missed by all.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to his care providers, friends, and family, who went out of their way to stay in touch and provided support throughout his illness, as well as the many strangers who were patient and helpful when he had difficulty walking. They are especially grateful to the Harness Pharmacy Team, who consistently demonstrated care and helped with complicated medication needs.

Barry would be honored if individuals demonstrate kindness and patience to those around them. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo. A Funeral Liturgy will begin, Monday, February 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Marygrove Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1750 N. Raab Road, Swanton. Interment will follow at Marygrove Immaculate Conception Cemetery.