Barry Mitchell Nelson, 73 years old, of the Village of Essex Junction VT, Barry was born in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Edith and Leonard Nelson. He graduated from Central High School and went on to a full scholarship to Northeastern University in Boston for Civil Engineering. After moving to VT in 1974, he worked for the State of Vermont for a # of years as an engineer, then changed course to working on a dairy farm for several years, before changing course once again to carpentry, where he found his true calling, the Taurus that he was. He had a natural knack for wood-working, paying close attention to detail which was easy to see in his beautiful masterpieces. Barry prided himself doing fine carpentry, working hard and diligently, thriving at what he did. His two sons, Chad and Andrew, worked with him for a time learning important skills. Barry made life-long friends in his customers.
Barry was a long time member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington where he once devoted time in the Religious Education Dept. He also participated in Men-Alive, advocate and volunteer for the VT Progressive Party, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, as well as, for the VT Respite House. He would nobly grin and bear it to participate in the Essex Skating Facility’s annual spring show to skate alongside his daughter, Lillia. And when he wasn’t working or with his family, Barry could be found at his favorite spot on Earth, Charlie Auer’s Boathouse, or as Barry referred to it, a “little throwback in time”. There he kept his sailboat and camper where he spent countless hours on the water, bringing him much peace. Barry studied spiritual master, Eckehart Tolle and others. For years, he meditated and journaled his thoughts and experiences.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lenora, his sons Chad & Andrew and daughter, Lillia, as well as, his mother Edith Nelson and his sister, Beverly (Gary) Margulis, along with his niece and nephew and their children. He was predeceased by his father, Leonard Nelson. The funeral and burial services were beautifully arranged by the gracious staff of Rich Funeral Home. The family is accepting at any time of fond memories that friends and community members would like to share. Barry will be most remembered for his kind nature, big smile, lively conversation, reverence for the natural world and his profound spirituality, as his dear friends and associates have all shared. Love makes the world go round. Thank you, all!
May you sail freely with the wind. We love you forever and always.