Barry Gashel

Barry Gashel had a lifelong love for the sport of wrestling. He lovingly served the sport as a wrestler, official and coach. Barry started his career at McGuffey High School where he lettered all four years. After he graduated from Waynesburg, Barry transitioned from wrestler to official, as well as continued to coach. Barry refereed youth, high school and college wrestling matches for 36 years. During that time, he served as the Washington County Wrestling Official's Chapter Interpreter for 20 years. He mentored and trained both new and experienced officials in the rules of the sport and provided interpretations, clarifications and counsel on any rules questions. As a mat arbiter, Barry was selected to officiate numerous sections and regionals in Pennsylvania, 15 regionals in West Virginia, and 13 West Virginia State tournaments. In 2001, Barry was selected as the West Virginia Wrestling Official of the Year. Gashel also served as a volunteer fireman, coached his daughters' softball teams and actively served his church and community. Barry valiantly battled cancer for two and a half years. Throughout his many treatments, he never stopped officiating. His final match came on April 20, 2007, weeks after he had officiated his last West Virginia State Tournament. Following his passing, he was so admired by his West Virginia officiating colleagues that they annually present "The Barry Gashel Wrestling Official of the Year Award" to the state's top referee at the WV Wrestling Championships. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Ruth; his three children, Amanda Gashel Dillon, Jill Gashel and Jared Gashel; and his six beautiful grandchildren, Kayla, Tyler, Alexandra, Barrett, Abbey and Riley.

Awards:

Year
2015
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
West Virginia

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