Craig W. Barry, Jr.

Craig Westney Barry, Jr. of Shelburne Falls died peacefully at home June 28 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia.  Craig was born July 1, 1945 in Trenton, New Jersey to Craig W. and Betty (Bell) Barry.  He was raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, graduating from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1963 and from Columbia University in 1967 with a BA in American History.  Craig then went on to Boston University School of Law where he received his JD in 1970.

From an early age Craig was extremely curious and independent. As a young boy,  he conducted many chemistry experiments in his basement lab including building a variety of very explosive rockets, some of which he launched out of the bulkhead of his family home. As soon as he got his license, his lifelong love of driving began.  He could drive hours on end without getting tired and his family often commented that he would have been happy as a long distance truck driver.  Most of all, he loved everything connected to the weather.  He had a weather station set up in the living room and for a long time recorded the daily high and low temps in a notebook and then created a spreadsheet at the end of each year.

Looking to live and work in rural New England,  Craig joined the law firm of Trudel, Ball, Bartlett, later Bartlett and Barry, in Greenfield in August 1971 where he practiced real estate law until his retirement in 2009.  Joseph Bartlett, Jr. who interviewed Craig for the associate position not only became Craig’s law partner but also his lifelong friend,   In September 1971 Craig met the love of his life Amy Florence Cooper at Northfield Mount Hermon School where Craig was living as a dorm parent and Amy was a faculty member. They were married in June 1972 and after eight years at NMH, moved to Heath in 1980 and to their present home in Shelburne Falls in 1988.

Craig will be remembered by all who knew him as a true gentleman with keen intelligence and impeccable integrity.  His cheerfulness and sense of optimism never diminished, even in the face of a debilitating disease that affected his mind and body.  He loved his family, his country and his God, revered the Constitution and always believed in individual freedom and limited government.  He was a gifted nature photographer and a fine woodworker who was also very active in Amy’s wall quilt business, Amy Barry Designs, travelling with her to shows all over the Northeast.  Most significantly, Craig was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who put his family first and did whatever he could to support their interests and goals. 

Craig was happiest hiking with Amy. They logged many miles together in the Green Mountains including trips to Stratton Pond, Craig’s favorite spot.  For fifteen years Craig and Amy drove the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Smokies, staying at lovely inns and hiking grand vistas. More recently, Craig was content to hike in the woods behind his home on trails he had blazed himself.  His philosophy has always been “Better Slow than No!”

Besides his loving wife Amy, Craig leaves his beloved daughter Caroline Barry Green and her husband David of Springfield, Virginia; his granddaughters Mallory and Shelby Green to whom he will always be “CB’;  his sister Barbara Bell Barry of Taftsville, Vermont and her husband Michael Pacht; his stepsister Elizabeth McCall and her husband Charles of Lawrenceville, New Jersey and his stepbrother Peter Wynkoop and his wife Viv of Melbourne Beach, Florida.  His family would like to thank the team of nurses and aides at Pioneer Valley Hospice for all their care and support through this most difficult time.  A special thank-you to Linda who brought sunshine with her every day!

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 14 at 2pm at the Heath Union Church in Heath, MA.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pioneer Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA   01301.

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