Barry is a grandson of Joseph Paterno, brother of my great-grandfather Dr. Charles V. Paterno, making Barry and me 2nd cousins 1 x removed. Barry was very helpful to me especially in my early days of genealogy with understanding his branch of our family tree. Barry will be missed by many.
Barry Paterno, formerly of Sandwich, New Hampshire, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 72. Born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Barry moved with his family to the White Mountains in 1983 and soon bought the South Tamworth Country Store (now Mama Bear’s).
Many will remember the little red building with its large canopy, cheap gas, and decorative Christmas displays, located on Route 25 near South Tamworth Village.
After more than 30 years at the store, often working seven days a week and 365 days a year (even Christmas and Thanksgiving), Barry retired to rural Tennessee. There he worked outdoors, planting trees and flowers, building ponds, and attempting to become a hemp farmer.
Barry will be remembered for his three loves in life: the outdoors, politics and family. He was very passionate about each, as any visitor to the store can attest, and local legend has it that in the late 1980s, Barry liberated a malnourished painted turtle from the Squam Lake Science Center.
Barry is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Dominique; two children and two grandchildren.
Services will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York, this summer.
Our dearest Condolences, Barry was “Perfect Gentleman” .
Thank you John for your kind words about Barry.