Barry Robert Lancette

Barry Robert Lancette passed away on Saturday, January 25 at age 73 due to injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident.

Barry was born on December 3, 1951, son of Robert and Bernice (Rivard) Lancette. He grew up in rural Eau Claire with five siblings. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1970 and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, proudly serving for six years at bases in North Carolina, Hawaii, and Japan. Following his service, he returned to Eau Claire to attend UWEC studying computer science. He soon met and married the love of his life, Patty. Their greatest purpose in life was raising their three children: Christy, Ben, and Dan. After Patty was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Barry served as an exemplary caregiver, devoting all of his energy to ensure the best quality of life for her until her passing.

Barry was the definition of a renaissance man. He never stopped learning or doing, with multiple projects always in flight and more being dreamt up. He had a lifelong love of all things mechanical, always maintaining, repairing, and restoring cars, boats, computers, appliances, instruments, and more. The ultimate handyman, there wasn't a home renovation project that he couldn't tackle. Barry also volunteered his time as a coach for Lowes Creek Little League and Eau Claire Youth Wrestling. In the rare bits of downtime he had, he was an avid musician always working to improve his guitar and vocal skills. Late in life, he broadened his horizons by joining the Eau Claire Male Chorus and had recently begun taking piano lessons.

Of all his many accomplishments, his proudest moments came as a grandfather to his five grandchildren: Shaylee, Griffin, Greta, Nash, and Arlo. He was his grandkids' greatest cheerleader, rarely missing a hockey, baseball, softball, volleyball, or soccer game and was always beaming in the audience at every band concert, play, piano recital, or pre-school program, most likely wearing his custom t-shirt bearing their names that stated, "When God made my grandkids, He was showing off."

Barry was preceded in death by his wife, Patty; parents, Robert and Bernice; brother, Willie; and sister, Roberta Becker. He is survived by his daughter, Christina (Todd) Gilbertson; son, Benjamin (Kimberly) Lancette; son, Daniel (Kelly) Lancette; grandchildren, Shaylee, Griffin, Greta, Nash, and Arlo; brother, Bernie, sisters, Betty Karpe and Becky Zillmer; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and his beloved chocolate lab, Willie.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that if you choose to honor Barry's memory, direct donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) in his name to support veterans and first responders.

An informal memorial luncheon will be held at VFW Post 305 (1300 Starr Avenue, Eau Claire, WI) on Friday, February 7 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Come as you are to honor Barry's memory, silly t-shirts encouraged.