REED SHELDON BARROWS, JR.

12/30/2000

Reed Sheldon Barrows, Jr., 78 of Spring Park Apartment #508, 45 Spring Street, North Adams, MA died, Saturday December 30, 2000 at his home. He was a former longtime businessman in North Adams, Springfield, Boston, MA and New York State. Mr. Barrows was born in North Adams, MA on March 17, 1922, a son of the late Reed Sheldon Barrows and Vera M. (Cota) Barrows. He was educated in North Adams schools and graduated from Drury High School in North Adams with the Class of 1939. He also graduated from the former Berkshire Business College in Pittsfield, MA in 1941. Following his graduation, he joined the General Electric Company in Pittsfield, MA as Personnel Secretary for the GE Ordnance Engineer in charge of the US Naval Ordnance plant which was being built at that time for the production of Gun Directors for the United States Navy. He remained in this position until the outbreak of World War II and he enlisted in the U. S.. Naval Service on October 30, 1942. He received his naval aviation training at the Maine Central institute in Pittsfield, Maine and his pre-flight training at Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the Naval Air Station at Bunker Hill, Indiana. He completed his training at the Naval Air Training Base. Pensacola, Florida. He was commissioned an Ensign for Naval Aviation Instruction and he taught the cadets Twin Engine and Instrument flying at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola Florida until his honorable discharge as a Lieutenant jg) on January 14, 1946. Following his honorable discharge, he began a long career in business including Management Executive and merchandising, marketing, advertising, sales and service and purchasing. From 1949 to 1974 he was associated with the Forbes & Wallace, Inc/Consolidated Dry Goods Co. and its corporate offices in Springfield, Massachusetts in several positions. He began his career as a Buyer for the former Boston Store in North Adams, MA from 1949-1951 and as General Manager of the store from 195l-l957. From 1957 to 1960 he was the merchandise coordinator for the Consolidated Dry Goods Co and from 1960-1964 he served as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice-President of Forbes & Wallace in the corporate offices in Springfield, MA. From 1964 to 1966 he was the store manager of Wallaceâ€™s in Kingston, New York and from 1966 to 1969 he served as store manager of the Forbes 7 Wallace Eastfield Mall Suburban Store. From 1969 to 1973 he was store manager of the Forbes & Wallace Downtown Baystate West Store in Springfield, MA. He then transferred to the Wallaceâ€™s of Schenectady, New York on special assignment to close the facility. Following his retirement from Forbes & Wallace in 1974, he established Reedâ€™s Gifts and Cards on Park Street, Adams, Massachusetts and operated the store until 1977 when he joined Englandâ€™s of North Adams as store manager until his final retirement in 1979. Mr. Barrows was a longtime active member of civic and business associations. He was always a member of the Chambers of Commerce as well as serving on the Board of Directors of Retail Associations in the cities where he worked, From 1967-1968 , he served as President of the Eastfield Merchants Association and from 197l-1972, he served as Vice-President of the Baystate West Merchants Association, He also served as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Retail Associates of Springfield, Massachusetts. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Northern Berkshire Industrial Commision (IDC) of North Adams, MA. He also was a member of the North Adams Industrial Financing Authority (IDFA). He also was a member of the Massachusetts Merchants, Inc and the Boston Chamber of Commerce. He maintained a lifelong interest in skiing, camping, fishing, sailing and golf. Mr. Barrows is survived by a sister and brother-in-law Raymond and Doris Wood of Windsor Locks, Connecticut and a brother and sister-in-law Robert and Sarah Barrows of Cape Canaveral, Florida and nieces nephews grandnieces and grandnephews. Funeral services for Mr. Barrows will take place Saturday January 6, 2001 at 3:00 PM at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals-Central Chapels 74 Marshall Street, North Adams. MA. The Rev. Albert Dagnoli, CSS Retired U. S. Naval Chaplain will conduct the service. Burial will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family. Calling hours at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals-CENTRAL CHAPELS 74 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA, are Saturday January 6, 2001 from 1 P.M. to the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are suggested for the North Adams Adult Day Care Center through the funeral home.

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REED SHELDON BARROWS, JR.

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