Barry G Muldrew

Monson-Barry George Muldrew died on March 12th at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke after a 10-year battle with frontal-temporal lobe dementia, with his wife, Janice, by his side. He was born on May 6, 1947 in Springfield to William and Frances (West) Muldrew. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from the High School of Commerce in 1965. He was a Navy veteran, serving on the USS Boxer, and was trained as a corpsman. He later attended Putnam Vocational School, attaining LPN status. Barry held numerous nursing jobs and spent his last 20 years of employment working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Leeds and Springfield Outpatient Clinic, retiring in 2010. Barry was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and one day at a time was able to achieve 36 years of sobriety. He helped numerous others follow this path to a better life. Barry was a member of the First Church of Monson, UCC. Prior to his illness, he served as a deacon, and sang in the choir. He and his wife enjoyed almost 30 years of marriage, and kept busy by fostering (and often keeping) retired Greyhounds, and embarking on many cross-country trips, either by car or by train. Barry got along with everyone, in part because he accepted everyone exactly as they were – no judgement.

He leaves many friends from near and far. Barry leaves his wife Janice ( Wood) of Monson; five step children, Tara Whiting -Wells(Peter) of W. Tisbury; Daniel Whiting (Katie) of Manchester, England; Jeremy O'Brien (Suzanne) of Brooklyn, NY; Beverly Kennedy (Patrick) of Northampton; Ben O'Brien (Maggie) of S. Berwick, ME; his sister in law, Barbara Muldrew of Wilbraham; niece, Becky Moriarty of E Longmeadow and nephew, Ben Muldrew (Ulli) of Larchmont, NY; seven grandchildren; David and Emma Whiting, Tait and Jack Kennedy, and August, Erin and Molly O'Brien. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Bill Muldrew of Wilbraham.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Veterans Home in Holyoke for their consistent, compassionate and loving care, especially during the weeks preceding Barry’s death.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 11th from 5-7PM at Lombard Funeral Home, 3 Bridge Street, Monson, MA. A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, April 12th at the First Church of Monson 5 High St. Monson at 11AM. Burial will be held privately at a later date.

Donations in Barry's name can be sent to Greyhound Options, 43 Sczygiel Road, Ware, MA 01082 or the Veterans Home at Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke MA 01040. A donation form is online at Mass.gov website.