1943 - 2023
Visitation
December 26, 20234:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
December 27, 20239:00 a.m./10:00 a.m.
Dolan Funeral Home followed by a Mass at St. Irene's Church
Francis “Frank” Joseph Barre, 80, of Chelmsford, MA died early Wednesday morning, December 20, 2023 at his home with his family by his side.
He was married to his high school sweetheart, Marguerite E. (Render) Barre with whom he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 23, 2023.
Born in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Francis A. Barre and Florence (Miller) Barre. He was raised in Guttenberg, NJ, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in West New York, NJ with the class of 1961, and was a graduate of Rutgers University in NJ with a BA in History.
Early in his working career he was an elementary school teacher in West New York, NJ. Then, for 40 years, Frank served the Boy Scouts of America as a professional Scouter in various positions in the Northeast Region, including Scout Executive of the Greater Lowell Council. He retired from Yankee Clipper Council BSA, in 2008. Throughout his profession, Frank dedicated himself to mentoring and inspiring youth, and trained and mentored countless adult leaders to advance the Scouting program. He was an amazing role model, and his influence can be found in generations of young people.
Frank was dedicated to his faith and his church. He was a communicant of St. Irene’s Catholic Church in Carlisle, MA since 1990. For years, he and Marguerite were active members of the St Irene’s Players and coordinated the St. Irene’s Confirmation Program. He was a 4th Degree Knight and served as The Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus 13848-Concord & Carlisle, MA.
In later years, Frank found new ways to serve his community. For over 20 years, Frank was a Chelmsford Town Meeting Representative. He was very proud of his volunteer work at Boston Childrens’ Hospital as a member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his six children, William Barre of San Diego, CA; Mary and her husband, Mark Fleischhauer of Rhinebeck, NY; Nancy Barre and her husband, Thomas Schmidt of Marietta, GA; Amy and her husband, William Severino of Little Ferry, NJ; Ellen and her husband Stephan Anstey of Lowell, MA; and Matthew Barre and his wife, DoraThea Kastanas of Memphis, TN. He was Poppy to 14 grandchildren, Christopher, Emily, Anna, Cameron, Lillian, James, Daniel, Andrew, Sarah, Joshua, Alexander, John, Nick, Neomi, and three great grandchildren, Simon, Benjamin, and Westley. He is survived by his two sisters-in-law, Theresa Woods and Jean Render, as well as many nieces and nephews. Frank was the brother of Fran Moore of Largo, FL and the late Joan Cozze.
Frank’s visiting hours will be Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 4 to 8 P.M. His Funeral will be Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 9AM from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 10am at St. Irene’s Church in Carlisle. Burial in Heart Pond Cemetery, Chelmsford.
Memorials may be made in his name to The Key Foundation/Francis J. Barre Counselor of the Year Award at http://keyfoundation.org/donate.html or by mail to:
The Key Foundation, Inc., c/o Andrew M. Rubenstein, Esq., Rubenstein & Associates, P.C. 10 Speen Street, First Floor, Framingham, MA 01701. Specify Francis Barre Award in the check memo line.
OR
Research Department at Boston Children’s Hospital, in memory of Francis Barre. Contributions can be made at bostonchildrens.org/giveinmemory. Mailed checks, payable to Boston Children’s Hospital, to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301. Please include Francis Barre in the check memo line.
ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Steven Nagel
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Frank was a darn good Professional Scouter and a better husband and parent. He was appreciated by all who knew him.
My thoughts are with his family, especially Marguerite and my pal Mary.
Steve
Charles Binder
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Frank or Mr. Barre as I knew him by when I was a scout in West New York was a fountain of knowledge about the Scouting program and a wonderful resource when I became an adult leader of Troop 110. His passing marks the end of a piece of Scoutings history in Hudson County. Condolences to his family during this sad time.
Matthew Dohn
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So sorry to hear about his passing. May he rest in peace.
Tom Steffens
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R.I.P. Frank
His Scouting Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor name was “father to many”. How appropriate not only for the excellent family he and Marge raised but the many Scouts he mentored and nurtured over the years. I’m proud to say I was one of them.
Richard & Rita O’Shea
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So very sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Many years of acting along side of Frank at the St. Irene Mystery Dinner blessed me with many fond memories.
Thank you Frank. RIP. Condolences to Marguerite and the his whole family.
Terry and Joe D'Errico
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Dear Marge and family, we are deeply saddened by the news of Frank’s passing. May he rest in eternal peace. Our prayers are with your family.
Zebro Raymond G
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So sorry for your loss. Frank and Marguerite were classmates of mine @ St. Joseph’s. May he rest in peace ?
Barbara Bergamini
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Marge I am so sorry for Franks passing. The two of you were such a great love story you were so devoted to each other. Be well my friend. Your family will help you thru this. Again I am so sorry for you and your family.
Judy Schider
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Marguerite and family…so deeply sorry for the loss of your Frank. At St. Joe’s it was always Marge and Frank…as it was throughout your lives. Please be comforted by God’s presence and the wonderful memories you shared.
JACQUELINE' CONSTANTINEAU
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TO THE BARRE FAMILY…SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT FRANK’S PASSING. HE WAS A NICE MAN AND I ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM ALL THOSE YEARS AT THE G.L.C.B.S.A. MAY THE MEMORIES YOU HAVE COMFORT YOU ALWAYS.
Bob Bender
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Billy, Marge and family I am sorry for your loss. Frank was a good kind person and a great Scouter. Rest in Peace Frank. Till we meet again
Elmer Lyons
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Frank was an instructor for my BALOO (outdoor training) course when I first started Scouting. I remember his welcoming spirit and enthusiasm while teaching us how to identify plants, but he shone brightest, and loudest, around the campfire. His spark lives on.
(unless someone threw it out the second story window 😉
Theodore D Wicks
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As others have mentioned Frank was a wonderful scouter to know and I learned a lot from him over the past thirty some odd years, my condolences and prayers go out to his family and especially his son Matt who took up lots of the scouting opportunities that Frank first showed.
Mike Clark
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My condolences to the Barre family and the Wah Tut Ca friends. Frank was an inspiration to us all, Rest in peace.
Bill Dall
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My Sincere Condolences to the Barre family. He was a friend,neighbor,and a professional Scouter of the Boy Scouts of America. He truly loved his 40 years of service as well as his devotion to Marge and amazing six children and 14 grandchildren. He will be remembered by the hundreds of Scouts and Scouters who served, mentor and trained with. The stories he shared at many campfires. We will all remember the fun, laughter and the many great memories he left us with. God Bless his family while Frank joins The Supreme Chief of the fire. RIP
Glenn Levasseur
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So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing I knew him through Scouting. He was a fantastic exec he was always at every event and made sure he would stop and talk to all the troop leaders to see if you had any concerns or possible suggestions for improvement. He would also come up on work weekends at Watutca to lend a much needed and always appreciated hand. He molded many people in his years with the scouting and his legacy will definitely carry on. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Deepest Sympathies
Glenn Troop 322
Richard Scott
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Sorry for you loss. Condolences to you and
your family. Share happy memories and keep his spirit alive with wonderful stories.
Keith Miller
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My condolences to Frank’s family and to his (our) Scouting family. Frank lived a great life and his memory will live on…he was a great scouter and professional…one of the very rarest Pros that lived AND exceeded the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life.
Julie O’Neill
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Marge, I always think of the yearbook photo of you and Frank at the piano….a long and happy marriage just ahead. Please accept my sincere condolences. You two are an inspiration and a role model.
Georgina Kennedy
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Dear Marguerite, my deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. It just seems like moments ago we were happy teenagers at the Sunday night dances. It was obvious even back then that you two shared a special bond, one that only thrived and grew with the decades.
I can only hope the New Year will provide the strength and fortitude needed to heal and successfully move on. Time doesn’t ever erase the pain, but time can provide a source of comfort by recalling the warm and wonderful experiences of past times together. Be strong, my sweet Marguerite.
Bill and Nancy Loeber
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So sorry to hear of the passing of Frank. He was a true scooter and a great role model for us all. We will never forget our time with him in the Bayonne Council.
Bill and Nancy Loeber