Barrett Calvin Leete passed away on Nov. 24, 2024, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, following a battle with heart and lung disease, with his wife of 53 years, Jean, at his side.
Born on Nov. 2, 1938, in Manchester, New Hampshire, Barry was the son of Preston and Lois Leete. At the young age of 5, his mother Lois died, and his father remarried a loving woman named June Travers. The family moved to Burlington, Vermont, where his sister Debbie was born.
Barry was a proud alumnus of Guilford College, the University of Vermont, and McGill University, where his mischievous spirit shone through as an engineering student. Following his academic years, he served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy, which led to extensive travel. Barry settled in Killington and became a dedicated public servant. He directed the Killington Ski Patrol, served as treasurer, and then president of the Killington Fire Department, as well as president of the Vermont State Firefighters Association. Barry co-founded the VSFA Fire Cadet Academy, worked on the board to revamp the Paramount Theatre in Rutland, and developed innovative technologies to improve firefighter safety.
After completing his education and serving in the military, Barry moved to Killington in the early ‘60s. He worked as the engineering department director at Howe Richardson Scale in Rutland. In 1970, Barry met and fell in love with Jean Murdoch. They married in 1971, and together, they built their home in Killington. After 10 years of marriage, they added a daughter to their family when Jordan was born, who ended up with him wrapped around her pinkie finger from that day forward.
Barry was known for his intelligence, strong will, and occasional (frequent) stubbornness.
He was deeply devoted to his family and friends and had a passion for his many interests, including his inventions, railroads, the fire service, theater, and opera. His early life was filled with adventure—riding trains to New York City with a neighbor as a child and later working for both the Canadian National and Vermont Railways. As a teenager, Barry joined his father and cousin in climbing Killington Peak to scout terrain for what would later become the world-class resort we know today.
Barry is survived by his wife, Jean Leete; daughter, Jordan Leete; two sisters, Deborah Leete Flannery and Virginia E. Strahan; and a brother, Gerald W. Strahan.
A celebration of life will be held on May 10, 2025, at the Killington Fire Station.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vermont Fire Cadet Academy or the Rutland County Humane Society.
