Barry James Gruttemeyer

Barry James Gruttemeyer

Hopkinton, NH - Barry James Gruttemeyer, 73, longtime resident of Hopkinton, passed away on June 15, 2025, at the Concord Hospital with his wife and daughter by his side. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on January 30, 1952, to his late parents Richard G. and Mary (Wetland) Gruttemeyer. As a youngster, Barry lived with his family in New York, Missouri, and Connecticut before they settled in New Milford, NJ.

Barry graduated in the class of 1970 from New Milford High School, where he was an outstanding varsity football player. He then attended Colgate University on a four-year football scholarship, where he played on the college's undefeated, freshman football team. Barry graduated from Colgate in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. He was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity; his "brothers" became life-long

friends. It was at ATO that he met the love of his life, Pat, who had just transferred to the college in her junior year. From the day they met, they were inseparable. A year after graduation, Barry and Pat married in Sandwich, NH.

Much of the following was written Barry, where his own words best express his passions. Shortly after moving to Concord, NH, in 1974, "… I began working for the Concord Monitor, the capitol-city's daily newspaper. After working there for over 30 years in various non-editorial positions, I accepted the opportunity in 2012 to retire early.

"Pat and I lived a pretty active life in our early years in Concord. … I soon found a local pickup basketball facility near to the Monitor and enjoyed playing in the local men's league… In the mid-'80s, I discovered golf and have been attempting to get better every year-a familiar refrain. Thankfully, I realized early on that the most important reasons for me to golf were exercise, fresh air, and the camaraderie of friends and strangers alike.

"In 1987, Pat's and my lives changed dramatically with the birth of our only child, Meghan. She brought fresh joy and meaning to us. We have been so proud of her many accomplishments that she's achieved throughout her life.

"When it became difficult to continue playing basketball, I volunteered to be a basketball coach, first for the Hopkinton Youth Sports Assoc. and then in the Hopkinton Middle/High School. This led to a 20-year 'career' of coaching…. I also assisted the high school varsity program. The relationships and friendships with the players and their parents were rewarding beyond words.

"After I retired from the newspaper, I became a full-time, every-day, volunteer teaching assistant at the middle school. For the next four years, I worked primarily with one of the school's English teachers and one of the math teachers. I tutored, mentored, and

listened carefully to each student. I cherished every opportunity to engage with and listen to them. It was one of my most meaningful experiences." Many of Barry's former students have stayed in close contact with him into their adult years.

Barry is survived by his wife, Patricia H. Gruttemeyer of Hopkinton, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage just weeks before his passing. He is also survived by his daughter, Meghan E. Mangelsdorf and her husband Zach of Edwards, CO, and their beautiful daughters, Josephine (3-1/2 years) and Alexandra James (1-1/2 years). Barry is also survived by his three siblings: Neal Gruttemeyer of Beachwood, NJ; Keith Gruttemeyer formerly of NJ; and Karen Silvera of Browns Mills, NJ. He touched many lives in many different circles, where he will be fondly loved, cherished, and missed by all.

To honor Barry's legacy, a celebration of life will be held at Duston Country Club, 40 Country Club Rd., Hopkinton, NH, Sunday, July 27, 2025, beginning at 3 pm. Arrangements under the direction of the Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street, Concord, NH.