Carleton Stanley Barnett Sr.

BRATTLEBORO- Carleton Stanley Barnett Sr., 87, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, December 24. 
Mr. Barnett was born October 21, 1933, in Cabot. He was the sixth of nine children born to Ashley Charles and Sarah Elizabeth (Clarke) Barnett. His parents died when he was in his teens and he came to Wilmington  to live with his older sister, Lorainne and her husband, Richard. He graduated from Wilmington High School. 
Mr. Barnett was married to Bernice Burnett, of Halifax, on September 29,1956. (Bernice always joked she didn’t want to change her name much). Within a year, they bought a house in the village of West Halifax. Sadly, she died January 18, 2018 leaving him heartbroken. Carleton and Bernice raised two children, Carleton Jr. and Tammy. Their son died in 1991 due to a logging accident. 
In his earlier years, Mr. Barnett worked at various jobs in the area including the New England Box Company, for Verne Boyd in his sugaring operation, and for Link Haynes during which time he helped in the construction of the Deerfield Valley Health Center. Around 1964 he went to work for the Kendall Company (later American Fiber and Finishing) and worked there until his retirement in 1995. Meanwhile he worked for various area people mowing lawns and doing other tasks for them. Without a doubt, his most cherished job was as constable for the town of Halifax, a position he held for at least 20 years. 
Mr. Barnett was a great storyteller and loved to get a laugh out of anyone he met and rarely failed in that. Always a lover of children, he could always be counted on to have cookies on the shelf or a dollar in his pocket to give out. His childhood home remained dear to him and he and Bernice made frequent trips ‘up North’ with family and friends. He loved the outdoors and that is where he could be found most anytime. Another great enjoyment was growing a garden every year. He would start his plants inside, covering every available surface. Family waited anxiously every summer for the “best tomatoes in town.”  
He was especially pleased when his son built a sugarhouse on his property around 1988. And he was very pleased when his grandson, Ben, decided to dismantle the sugarhouse and reconstruct it on his nearby property. He loved being involved in whatever project was going on. Even after his eyesight started to fail, he would go along with his grandson, Ross, to help on projects. If he could find a way to help someone, he would. He and his wife always had an open-door policy and showed hospitality to all. If you went away from their home hungry it was your own fault! 
They loved to travel and took trips west to see family. In 2002 they joined Tammy and her family on a trip to the Grand Canyon. In 1989 they took a trip to Florida with their daughter and family and Mr. Barnett immediately fell in love with the fact he could be outdoors year round. They purchased a home on that very trip and spent the next 26 winters enjoying time there. They sold the home in 2014 due to Bernice’s failing health. 
Mr. Barnett is survived by his daughter Tammy Lacey and husband Daniel; grandchildren Ross Barnett and wife Michele, Amanda Ryan and husband Wade, Benjamin and wife Sarah, Alex Lacey and wife Brittany, and Anna Lacey and husband Kyle Stoodley; his late son’s wife Barbara Brown and husband Francis; and their son, Joseph, whom he considered his grandson. In addition, he leaves seven great-grandchildren: Logan and Rebecca Ryan; Avery and Mason Barnett; Parker and Peyton Barnett; and Jayden Lacey. He is also survived by his sister Lorainne Parsons and husband Richard; a sister-in-law, Madeline Burnett; a very special cousin, Marjorie Greaves, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Bernice; son Carleton Jr.; brothers Robert (Jim), William, Ashley (Paul), Elwin, and Philip; and sisters Louise and Madeline.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Vernon Green Nursing Home for their loving care during the last few months.  Donations in Mr. Barnett’s memory may be made to Vernon Green Nursing Home Activities Fund, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354 or to the West Halifax Fire Department, PO Box 27, West Halifax, VT 05358.
Services and a time of remembrance are being planned for late spring 2021. To share a memory or send condolences visit www.atamaniuk.com.