Febuary 19, 1937 – March 24, 2024
Longtime Wilson resident Wilmer David “Dave” Barrett, died March 24, 2024, in Yarmouth, Maine, surrounded by his family. He was 87. The following was provided by his family.
Born Feb. 19, 1937, in Brockton, Massachusetts, to Evelyn Marie Anderson and Wilmer Dwight Barrett, Dave was the eldest of three sons, followed by Philip Barrett, of New Castle, New Hampshire, and Robert Barrett, of Toronto, Ontario, They grew up in Reading, Massachusetts, where Dave took his first ski run on a pine needle-covered hill on homemade skis. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1960 with a degree in business.
Dave was married to Elaine V. (Prouty) Barrett for 42 years. They lovingly raised four children in Andover, Massachusetts, and Bennington, New Hampshire.
Dave’s spiritual home was in Wilson, Wyoming, where he spent many years of his life skiing, biking, hiking and simply taking in the beauty of the Tetons. He moved to the valley full time in 1998 and, in subsequent years, he and his partner, Jean Barash, enjoyed traveling and sharing in the joys of their respective children and grandchildren on both sides. He moved back to Maine in the summer of 2022.
Dave was a successful and skillful entrepreneur and helped others realize their potential and visualize their success.
He loved meeting new people, whether in the grocery store or on a ski lift, and he would make instant deep connections. He had a sincere interest in other people and being in his presence made you feel loved, appreciated and encouraged.
Dave had many lifelong friendships that he continued to nurture, and he always had room for more. He was a lifelong learner and was always challenging himself to try new things, up to his last days.
Dave sought out many adventures, like skiing Tuckerman Ravine, trekking in Nepal, floating rivers and hiking in southern Utah, backpacking throughout the Rockies, towing an Airstream trailer to Alaska with Bill Ashley, and many trips to Europe and Africa to see the world with his typical wonder and awe.
Dave was predeceased by his parents and his brother Philip.
He is survived by his brother Robert (Francine) and sister-in-law Margery Barrett; his children, Peter Barrett (Emily Ojala), Laura Barrett Geggis (Gerard), James Barrett (Lynette), Jean Nielsen (Brad); grandchildren Leo Gannon Geggis (Katie), Elisabeth Geggis (Jeff), Hallie Ojala-Barrett, William Barrett, Molly Barrett, their mother Ty, Kerstin Nielsen, and Andrew Nielsen; great-granddaughter Lisanna; as well as children and grandchildren from the Barash, Murphy, and Hubbard families.
A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust (HousingTrustJH.org) and the Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWildernessTrust.org).
