GLOUCESTER: Norval “Butch” Barkhouse, 63, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007 in the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston following a brief illness.
Born in Gloucester on November 22, 1943, he was the youngest son of Ruth (Morse) Barkhouse of Gloucester and the late Norval K. Barkhouse. He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1961.
On November 29, 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served at the U.S. Naval Station in Boston and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He later transferred to the Naval Reserve Manpower Center in Bainbridge, Maryland and was honorably discharged on May 6, 1970 as a Machinery Repairman, Second Class.
“Butch” was a career machinist for over twenty-five years at the Arwood Machine in Ipswich and Newburyport. Prior to that time, he worked at Gloucester Engineering and the former Murmac Manufacturing Company. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and golfing, most recently playing golf with a league from Arwood. He was stricken on the golf course last Thursday and we all feel he has a game to finish in heaven. But more than that, he loved his family.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his beloved son, Kevin M. Barkhouse of Gloucester and San Diego, CA, his former spouse and devoted friend, Cynthia Sweeney of Exeter, NH, three nephews, Stephen and his wife, Carmen Barkhouse and her daughter, Cristina Fonte all of Gloucester, Jeffrey Barkhouse of Raymond, NH and Michael and his wife, Joannie Frontiera and his children, Derek and Mikhaela Frontiera all of Essex, a niece, Pauline (Frontiera) Burnham and her husband, Anthony Burnham and their children, Joseph P., Sarah J. and Jacob M. Burnham all of Gloucester, a sister-in-law, Lillian Barkhouse of Raymond, NH, a brother-in-law and his wife, Gaspar and Judy Frontiera of Gloucester, several aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. He was also predeceased by a brother, Philip B. Barkhouse and a sister, Nancy J. Frontiera.
His funeral services will be held on Tuesday in the Seaside Cemetery, Lanesville at 1 P.M. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. At the family’s request, there are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.