Malcolm H. Barnett

December 14, 1924 - January 26, 2020

ERROL – Malcolm H. Barnett, 95, of Errol, died early on Sunday morning, Jan. 26, 2020, at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin after a long period of declining health. He was born in Upton, Me., on Dec. 14, 1924, a son to the late Banamon and Lila (McLeod) Barnett. He grew up in and around western Maine and the Rumford area. Malcolm was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving honorably from 1944-46, and then he returned to the north country to care for his parents and help them operate the Abbott House in Upton. Malcolm married Alda Porter in Errol on Aug. 30, 1952. They lived in Upton until moving to Errol in 1959. Malcolm worked for his entire adult life. He was a heavy equipment operator for several local companies over the years, but worked the longest for C.R. West and the Gray Logging Co. in Errol. He helped build the Maine portion of the Appalachian Trail and also served for a time in the fire tower on Old Spec Mountain. After retiring from the construction and woods business, he began to work on the maintenance department at The Balsams, and later drove the ski bus and operated the elevator, where, as a true people person, he was much loved by his co-workers and the guests alike. He loved to hunt and fish, and was an avid gardener in the warmer months, and always enjoyed sharing the bounty of his produce. Malcolm was very fond of a good cup of chowder and a bowl of ice cream; and he loved to take a daily ride with his wife on the local back roads, searching for deer, moose and eagles. During hunting season these trips included bagging the occasional partridge for dinner. Fun times included cards, cribbage and cooking bacon and eggs for the grandchildren on Sunday mornings. He was an avid Red Sox fan and attended his first game at Fenway Park only a few years ago. He was loved by his family and friends, who will all miss him dearly. He leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Alda (Porter) Barnett of Errol ; four children, Edward Barnett of Wilson’s Mills, Me., Carol Norman and her partner Charlie Felt of Upton, Me., Gail Roy and husband James of Bath, NH, and Russell Barnett and partner Katherine Dionne of Errol; a sister, Phyllis Young and partner Kenny of Byron, Me.; six grandchildren, Molly Barter and husband Jason, of Boothbay, Me., Timothy Barnett of Wilson’s Mills, Amy Norman of Poland, Me., Andrew Roy and wife Shannon of East Bridgewater, MA., Francis Roy and wife Siobhan of Manchester, NH, and Christopher Roy of Bath, NH; seven great-grandchildren, Tyler and Jordan Barter, Lexie-Ann Hart, Bridgette Norman, Jaydn Cormier, Jillian Cormier, and Caroline Roy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by two brothers, James and Lee Barnett, and four sisters, Muriel McKercher, Pearl Weston, Sylvia Wight and Kathrine Wight. Calling hours will be on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH. A funeral service will be held the next morning, Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at the Errol Congregational Church in Errol, NH. Interment with military honors will occur in the spring in the Errol Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Barnett may be made to the Errol Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 64, Errol, NH 03597. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.