Patrick V. Barron

BARRON PATRICK V. BARRON "Pat", COLONEL (Retired) Colonel (Retired) Patrick V. Barron (Pat), resident of Falmouth, MA, formerly of Mashpee, MA, and Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, June 15, 2009, in his home at Heritage of Falmouth. Pat was born in Placentia, Newfoundland, Canada, September 1, 1918, one of 10 children of William and Bridget (Byrne) Barron. Pat grew up in South Boston, MA where his family had moved in 1923. Pat was a career US Army officer, retiring from the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1971. He held a Bachelor''s degree in Military Science from Northeastern University and a Master''s degree in Education from the University of Maryland. After graduating from South Boston High School he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked on numerous civil construction projects in Campton, New Hampshire where he met and, in 1939, married his first wife, Alma M. Landry. In 1941, his eldest daughter Patricia Ann was born. In 1943 he was ordered into active duty from the U.S. Army Reserves to serve in World War II. While training for overseas deployment, his first wife died from health complications. When he shipped overseas, he saw combat action as an infantry platoon leader in the Philippines, and was part of the Army of Occupation in Japan at the close of the war. During that period, he was selected for and completed Officer Candidate School. Following WWII, he worked for Bethlehem Steel until 1951 when he was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, where he served as an engineer company commander in combat operations. After the war, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Engineers in Arlington, VA where he met and, in 1955, married his second wife, Alma G. Chalmers. In 1956, his eldest son, John Patrick, was born. Shortly thereafter, Pat was reassigned to Germany with his young family. There he served as a project manager for various military construction projects, first in Giessen, and then Frankfurt, where his second son David Michael (Mike) was born in 1958. In 1960, he returned with his family to Framingham, MA where he began his duty as Assistant Professor of Military Engineering at Northeastern University. In 1961, his second daughter, Elizabeth Ann, was born. Then in 1963, he left his family behind for an unaccompanied tour to Korea as an executive officer for a combat construction battalion. Upon returning in 1964, he was reassigned with his family to Fort Belvoir, VA as a program manager for Combat Developments Command. In 1966, he began a two year tour with his family as Construction Officer to the Joint U.S. Military Advisor Group in the Philippines. After settling his family in Alexandria, VA in 1968, he began a one year tour in Viet Nam serving as Deputy Engineer for Construction Operations in Saigon and Danang. When he returned from Viet Nam, his final assignment was with the Army Corps of Engineers as Deputy Inspector General to the Office of the Chief of Engineers in Washington, DC. His many service awards and citations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (two awards) and the Legion of Merit medal. After he retired from the Army, Pat was Construction Project Manager for The Board of Education in Prince William County, Virginia where he managed construction of three high schools and several middle and elementary schools for the County until he retired in 1983. An avid golfer, woodworker and reader, Pat enjoyed his retirement in New Seabury, Cape Cod, MA, where he was able to enjoy his family, friends and hobbies. He was a master craftsman, and built many beautiful pieces of furniture in his fully-equipped basement woodworking shop. Family and friends from coast to coast hold dear their Pat Barron originals. Pat was a lifetime member of the Society of American Military Engineers. He was also active in the Men''s Club of New Seabury where he served a term as President. Pat was predeceased by his first wife, Alma Landry Barron, and his wife of 53 years (who passed on November 23, 2008), Alma Chalmers Barron. Pat is survived by his four children, Patricia Barron Lynch Smith of Tewksbury, MA; John P. Barron and wife Pamela O. Barron, of Fairfax Station, VA; D. Michael Barron and partner Jose M. Lopez, of Los Angeles, CA; and Elizabeth A. Barron of Waterville, ME; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Catherine Walsh of Quincy, MA; his brothers Martin of Wilmington, NC; Aloysious, of Englewood, FL; Joseph of Carmel, CA and Leo, of Middleboro, MA; brother-in-law J. William Clark, Sr, of Mashpee, MA; sister-in-law Carol Chiacchia, of Litchfield, NH and numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Sister Gertrude, SND, and his brothers Michael, William and Thomas. Services were held in Massachusetts. Contributions can be made to Men''s Club of New Seabury Educational Fund, P O Box 1093; Mashpee, MA 02649. For online guestbook, obituary and directions, please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.comFor online guestbook, obituary and directions, please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com