Barry Mitchell Walden Obituary (1939 - 2015)

Waterville-Barry Mitchell Walden of Waterville, Maine, died peacefully at his home January 20, 2015, after a long period of failing health. Barry was born on May 11, 1939, in Bangor, Maine, one of three sons of the late Cummings and Helen Walden. He is survived by his loving companion, Michelle Rossignol and her daughter Katelyn. He is predeceased by his son James MacKay Walden of Portsmouth, NH and his brothers Ronald Walden of Greenville, Maine and David Walden of Hudson, NH. He leaves his daughter, Julie Walden Howard of Lee, NH and her children Evan and Katherine Howard, his son David Stuart Walden of Westbrook, ME, his wife Kerry, their two children, Brenden and Samantha Walden, and his daughter Helen Walden-Fodge and her husband Matthew Fodge of Minneapolis, MN. Barry was a summa cum laude graduate with a degree in mathematics from the University of Maine at Orono. He went on to work for Time Share in Massachusetts, one of the original companies in the then-nascent computer industry. In 1970, he sought a life closer to the land and his then-wife Jeannie MacKay and their three children. They moved to Concord, NH and bought a farmhouse. They acquired many and varied animals, at one time owning 4 horses, 4 pigs, a cow, a goat, two dogs, zebra finches, and cats too numerous to count. Barry was particularly proud of his reconstruction of the ell that connected the Mountain Road farmhouse with the barn. He had no formal carpentry skills, yet taught himself all while he completely renovated the structure from the stripped down beams into a beautiful living space. He authored a kind of book on the project entitled, "The House that B. Built". At that time in his life, Barry worked for the state of New Hampshire in the Centralized Data Processing Department. The family joined the East Concord Lamplighters social club and enjoyed the many parties, gatherings, and even horse shows. Barry had discovered his love for gourmet cooking in his twenties and used his considerable culinary talents to wow dinner guests. He was famous among friends and family for the spread of desserts he made at the annual Christmas party. Barry went on to work for the Hannaford Company in Portland Maine, at which time he met and married his second wife, Clare Mohs and had his fourth child, Helen. He eventually landed a job at Nolan Norton Company in Lexington, MA, where he shared his expertise and brilliant mind in the management consulting field. Barry was always a good listener and friend, and discovered his love of helping people, which propelled him to seek a Master's degree in Social Work from Boston University, graduating in 1986. He went into practice with his new degree and helped many, many people with his wise counsel, listening ear and caring heart. He eventually made his way back to Good Will-Hinckley in Hinckley, Maine, where he had spent a large part of his boyhood. He became a counselor for the children and young people there, continued to help scores of individuals as they navigated the difficulties in their lives, and received an award for doing so. Barry, with his clever mind, quick wit and easy laugh, was great to be around. He enjoyed so many hobbies. Music seemed to be the thing that made him happiest. Barry loved to sing. He was part of a chorus and a quartet, and particularly loved the camaraderie and singing in his barbershop quartets. His last "gig" was singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and other tunes with Michelle, entertaining the residents of Lakewood Continuing Care Center at Christmastime. He had a voracious love of reading, discussion and debate he was a fierce and vocal liberal! He enjoyed swimming for exercise stemming from his participation on the diving team in college. His fishing talents were enviable and oft challenged by family and friends during vacations. The annual cribbage tournament was a venue for his skill and his penchant for playfully trash talking competitors, and he often won the coveted "bragging rights" of the champion. Barry loved to spend time with family in Greenville at Upper and Lower Wilson ponds, enjoying the peace and serenity of the water and mountains, and the echoes of everyone's laughter and enjoyment. He will be sorely missed, but it is comforting to know he is finally reunited with his mother, father, son and brothers. The family would like to thank Michelle for the wonderful and boundless love she had and shared with Barry. She made it possible for all of us to enjoy more time with him and we will be forever grateful. A celebration of Barry's life will take place at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine, on January 31, 2015, at 2 p.m. His ashes will be scattered July at one of his favorite places, the family cottage in Cape Neddick, Maine, where he spent many happy days fishing for flounder and making Greg Smith seasick.