Kenneth “Barry” Bonifay passed away peacefully at Vanderbilt Cancer Center on Monday, September 7, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Barry lived with a big heart, an adventurous spirit, an irreverent sense of humor, and a deep commitment to caring for people and the world they share. He loved bringing people together and had a remarkable way of making others feel that life was meant to be fully lived.

Born and raised in Pensacola, FL, Barry grew up on Bayou Texar, surrounded by porpoises, alligators, fish, and other wildlife. Watching the bayou change as Pensacola grew and pollution took its toll, he learned that environmentalism began with loving a place enough to notice what was being lost - and then doing something about it.

His efforts to save the Alcaniz Oak contributed to Pensacola’s growing awareness of the importance of protecting its historic trees. He organized Pensacola’s first Earth Day festival, created the Kee O Kee gatherings, and advocated for numerous environmental causes.

Barry was an environmentalist, community organizer, political activist, artist, writer, entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and loyal friend. Rarely without paper and pen, he was also a gifted storyteller.

In the mid-1990s, he moved to Nashville and became part of the Radical Faeries, a community that reflected his values of connection, creativity, spirituality, nature, and chosen family.

Barry collected people, not possessions. Friends became family, and he gave generously of his time, energy, resources, and connections. Funny, irreverent, mischievous, compassionate, and sometimes outrageous, he was known to many as “Crazy Bear.” More than anything, Barry brought people together through gatherings, celebrations, causes, friendship, and mischief.

Barry built a respected career as an accessibility consultant. His company, PDS America, became known for its expertise in the Americans with Disabilities Act. He advised professionals, institutions, government agencies, and property owners across the country.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Margaret Bonifay; his twin brother, Charles Larry Bonifay; as well as his sisters-in-law, Judy Bonifay and Dee Dee Bonifay.

Survivors include his sister, Harriette Bonifay Allen, and her husband, Michael Allen; his brothers, Reed Bonifay and Stuart Bonifay; and a large, loving circle of extended family, friends, colleagues, and chosen family.

Barry remains present in the friendships he created the communities he helped build, the stories that will continue to be told, and the laughter that will accompany them. The best way to remember him is to care about the world, show up for those you love, make something beautiful, gather people together, and never lose your sense of wonder.

In Nashville, TN, a memorial will be held from 11:00am – 1:00pm Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Pharmacy Burger, 731 McFerrin Ave., Nashville, TN.

In Pensacola, FL, a visitation will be held from 1:00pm until a storytelling time begins at 2:30pm Saturday, November 28, 2026, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL.

The family thanks the Vanderbilt University Medical Center staff and physicians for their caring, consistent, and knowledgeable support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.