Melvin Nelson Barry

Melvin Barry, 89, died at home in Anchorage on Nov. 24, 2011.

He was born April 25, 1922, in Oconto, Wis., to Earl Barry and Louise Verboncoeur Barry. His family owned a general store in Oconto, but it was closed during the Depression.

In 1935, the family was accepted for the Matanuska Valley agricultural colony, and moved to Palmer. Following graduation from high school in 1940, he worked in the construction of Fort Richardson. He spent one summer at Bristol Bay working on the “monkey boat,” a motorized vessel that helped sailboats return to port. He joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and worked as an electrician until his retirement. He was a foreman in Anchorage and in may parts of Alaska, and also trained and guided apprentices. After his retirement, he and his brothers, Francis and Paul, engaged in mining operations.

He entered the Army during World War II and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., and northern Italy. He served as a foreman electrician and taught classes for military personnel.

A special interest was working with pinball machines and jukeboxes. He and his partner, Dick Benson, maintained this service to the roadhouses on the highways between Palmer and Fairbanks, and in the Copper River area for several years. He also liked to fish and hunt.

He married Mary Jane Paulsteiner of Seward in September 1951. They planned to celebrate their 60th anniversary in Hawaii, but the onset of his illness prevented it.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Jane Barry of Anchorage; sons, Ronald Barry of Fairbanks and Richard Barry of California; daughter-in-law Sarah Garland; grandchildren, Eli Barry-Garland and Maura Barry-Garland, all of Fairbanks; brother, Paul Barry and sister-in-law Beverly Barry of Palmer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass is at 7 p.m., Dec. 9 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Palmer.