Barry Del Buono, a longtime and beloved part-time Sociology instructor and active member of the San Jose Evergreen Federation of Teachers, passed away in December 2025, leaving an important and key legacy both for his union local and the greater San Jose Evergreen community.

Starting his career as an ordained Roman Catholic priest, Barry went on to earn a Masters degree in Sociology from  San Jose State University. After this, he dedicated himself to social work, founding the Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen, which to this day still provides nutritious meals to food-insecure families in San Jose and San Mateo counties. He also went out to work with other non-profits “helping to transform Santa Clara County’s response to homelessness through expanded shelter, housing, and supportive services.”

In 2007, after a long career with non-profits, Barry, at the urging of his wife, Meile, a retired San Jose City College Professor and union member, started teaching U.S. history and later sociology. He was a local pioneer in teaching Social Studies online, and later taught dual enrollment courses at SJCC’s Milpitas Extension, where he was held in high regard by students.

When the fight for part-time healthcare at San Jose Evergreen began to heat up, Barry stepped into the fray, calmly and persistently advocating for health insurance benefits d for part-time faculty.

“Barry was generally quiet, but did the work. He was always steady and asked questions,” noted 1493 Associate Representative Carol Abohatab.  

Abohatab recalls a particularly impactful moment when Barry and his wife spoke at a Board of Trustees meeting, noting that somehow what he said caused a change in the board’s attitude and led to more fruitful discussions resulting in San Jose Evergreen winning 100% reimbursable healthcare this June.

Barry sadly never got to see it.

Fighting cancer and clearly ill, Barry remained focused on his students, making sure that in spite of his illness he would still get his grades in on time just weeks before he passed. 

His life is a perpetual gift to others.