Janice C. Barry's Obituary
Janice “Jan” Carol (Cruise) Barry, age 68, of Ashford, CT was called home unexpectedly on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at her vacation home in Lady Lake, FL. Born September 24, 1948 in the Village of Sidney, NY, Jan was the third child of Ethel Hannah Davis and John Joseph Cruise, Sr. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother John Joseph Cruise, Jr. As a child, Jan moved frequently throughout the United States due to her father’s job as a concrete batch plant operator, and she formed many friendships and learned a deep appreciation for the importance of family. In 1963 her parents settled in Merrow/Mansfield, CT. She attended E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT, graduating in 1967. She met her high school sweetheart and soulmate, Richard Irving Barry, Sr., while working at a bakery in Mansfield. They were married on July 16, 1966 at the Warrenville Baptist Church, Ashford, CT. In 1969, they settled in Ashford where they raised their two sons, Richard and Kendall, as well as their two adopted children, Christine and Edward. Jan was actively involved in the town and local community. She was a beloved Girl Scout leader for 26 years, coordinating numerous regional scouting events, training new scouting leaders and organizing trips to Washington D.C., and Canada for her troop. She enjoyed her job driving a school bus for 12 years, was a member of the Ashford and Eagleville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliaries, served as Chairwoman of the Ashford Jury Committee, and worked for 15 years on the Westford Hill Cemetery Board of Directors. In 1985, she helped her husband Richard start Country Tool & Die, and was instrumental in turning it into a successful business specializing in high precision medical and tele-communication devices. She retired from her position with the business in 2010 and pursued her passion for genealogy, traveling, and the outdoors; she loved fishing, boating, kayaking and enjoying family moments at their treasured cottage on the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada. She recently took great pleasure renovating their dream home in Florida which she looked forward to sharing with family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Richard Irving Barry, Sr.; their two sons, Richard I. Barry, Jr. “Murphy” and his wife Tina of Mansfield, CT, and Kendall J. Barry of Ashford, CT; her adopted children, Christine Goldblatt and Edward Barry; and her sisters, Sandra and husband Bert Larson of Hyde Park, VT, and Kathy Frederick and husband Duane of Woodstock, CT. She is also survived by her grandchildren from her son Richard, Nathan and Megan Barry; step-grandchildren, Lorraine Apuzzo, Ashley Apuzzo and Ryan Blatchley; and her grandchildren from Christine, Michael, Sarah, Josh and Hannah Goldblatt, all of whom she loved dearly. Calling hours will be held at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT on Friday, November 4, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. A service in Celebration of her Life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Rd., Mansfield, CT at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 5, 2016. Donations in memory of Jan can be made to the Westford Hill Cemetery Association, c/o Louis Chatey President, 196 Chatey Rd., Ashford, CT 06278. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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