George F. Barter

March 2, 2008

The funeral for George F. Barter will be Thursday 11am at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery with military honors. Calling hours are Wednesday from2p – 4pm and 7p – 9pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County or to the Heart Association.

Mr. Barter, 81, of 432 Maple Ave., died Friday at his home.

He was born September 10, 1926 in Watertown, a son of Henry and Ruth Brown Barter. He graduated from Watertown High School. Following his graduation he served with the US Army during WW II from 1944 to 1946 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. After his discharge from the Army, he joined the US Navy serving one enlistment. During his time in the Navy, he escorted his brother Gilbert’s body, who was killed while serving in the military, back to the United States.

Mr. Barter retired from the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation as chief equipment operator after 33 years of employment.

Mr. Barter was a life long Boy Scout leader receiving the Silver Beaver Award. He was scoutmaster for the Kiwanis Boy Scout Troop 6 for many years. He founded the Kiwanis Youth Swim Program at Wiley School. He was a member and past master of Watertown F & AM # 49 and a past patron of Jefferson Chapter # 406 of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Italian American Club. He received a certificate for walking over 5000 miles at the Salmon Run Mall. Mr. Barter enjoyed traveling, watching wildlife and his grandchildren.

He married Constance Bennett December 31, 1950 at Trinity Episcopal Church. Mrs. Barter, a retired administrative officer at Key Bank of Northern New York, died April 27th, 1988 while she and her husband were vacationing in Assisi, Italy.

He is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, G. Michael and Karin, Virginia Beach, Paul and Peggy, Rodman. A daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Timothy Collins, Pillar Point. 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren. Nieces and nephews. His companion, Doris (Dodie) LaJuett, Watertown. Besides his brother Gilbert, he was predeceased by another brother, Robert (Buddy) and a sister Ruth Schweitzer.