THOMPSON, CT – Barry F. Kitka, 74, died Sunday, June 29, 2025, in UMass/Memorial University Campus surrounded by his family. He leaves his beloved wife of 43 years, Julia A. (Quinn) Kitka; a daughter, Mikaela Q. Kitka and her partner Christin Grygorcewicz of Worcester; 2 sons, Kerry F. Kitka and his fiancée Sieun Ha, and Casey B. Kitka, all of Austin, TX; his father-in-law and friend, Leo R. Quinn of Worcester; 2 uncles, Roy Kitka and his wife Linda of Thompson and Bruno Kitka of Chester, CT; a close cousin, Frederick Kitka of Webster, MA; 3 sisters-in-law, Eileen Ramos of Leicester, MA, Kathryn Parker of Hudson, MA; Justine Wahlstrom and her husband Scott of Holden, MA; 2 brothers-in-law, Joseph Quinn and his wife Karina of Upton, MA, and Peter Quinn and his fiancée Julie Lovejoy of Plymouth, MA; many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Jose Ramos and Gregory Parker.
Barry was born on December 28, 1950, in Southbridge, MA, the son of Francis B. and Alice A. (Merriam) Kitka and graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in North Grosvenordale, CT in 1968. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern CT State University in 1973 and later was awarded a Master’s Degree in Science Education in 1979.
He served in the United States Air Force from 1971 to 1977 as a staff sergeant at the Headquarters Squadron as a ground safety technician and he belonged to the American Legion Post #67 in Thompson. Barry worked for 35 years at Major Edwards School in West Boylston, MA as a 6th grade science teacher before he retired in 2008. Barry loved being a teacher and referred to it as his “life’s work.” He developed and taught two grade level science curriculums involving the hands-on approach and touched the lives of countless students. For Barry, teaching wasn’t a job, it was a passion and he always considered himself lucky to work in a field that he genuinely loved with coworkers that quickly turned into friends.
Anyone who knew Barry, quickly learned his greatest pride was his family; his wife, Julia, and his three children Mikaela, Kerry, and Casey, who he loved dearly. When he was not spending time with his family you could often find him on the softball field or the basketball court. Barry was a lifelong player of softball and basketball and played in countless leagues. He loved nothing more than striking his opponents out with his looping slow-pitch curve or dishing out a sweet pass to a teammate for an assist. His friendly competitiveness and sportsmanship made him a great teammate and earned him many life-long friends along the way.
Barry shared his love of sports with others through developing the Thompson Youth Recreational Basketball League in the 1980’s, was a member of the Thompson Men’s Softball League for several years in the 1980’s, and was director of the Webster Jack Benny Softball League for 5 years in Webster, MA. He also served the community as a counselor for the Quinebaug Valley Youth Services Bureau for 16 years in the mid 1970’s to early 1990’s, sat on the Thompson Board of Recreation for 6 years, with 2 years as vice-chairman, and was a voter registrar for the town of Thompson for several years. He also joined the Thompson Historical Society in 2008.
In quieter moments, Barry enjoyed spending time around his home. He loved upkeeping his yard and planting trees. On a cool summer evening you could often find him sitting in a lawn chair in his yard, beer in hand, just enjoying the space he created. More than anything, Barry cherished making memories with his family and loved ones, capturing them with his camera or camcorder so that they could continue to enjoy them forever.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, July 12, from the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, MA with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street, Webster, MA. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster, with the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council performing military honors. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, July 11, in the funeral home.