Gary Barrere

Naugatuck - Gary Arthur Barrere, 76, passed away on December 12, 2021 at Waterbury Hospital. He was the loving husband of the late Valdon Barrere of 40 years. He was born on March 28, 1945 in Waterbury, Connecticut to the late Arthur J. and Margaret E. (Koch) Barrere.
Gary grew up in Prospect where he attended Prospect Grammar School. He later attended Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury and the University of Tampa. He enlisted in the Marine Corp where he served as PFC for 4 years, stationed aboard ship in the Mediterranean Sea among other ports of call. He was honorably discharged in 1974. After the Marines he earned his Master Degree in Physical Education from Southern Connecticut State University. After graduation he was a student teacher before opening Long Meadow Cafe in Naugatuck where he sponsored many winning softball teams for over 30 years. Gary was an avid animal lover, he especially enjoyed the company of his special cat, Tux. One of his many passions in life was weight lifting. He began weight lifting at age 12 when his father bought him his first set of weights.
Gary is survived by his brother, Chris M. Barrere and his wife Cindy of Prospect; his daughter, Tina Janson and her husband Kurt of Middlebury; his nephew, Chris A. Barrere and his daughter Mackenzi of Prospect; and several cousins.
Per Gary's request, please absolutely no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to The Little Guild of St. Francis, 285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT 06795. 860-672-6346 or littleguild.org.
Friends and family may call on Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770. A Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 10:00am at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Prospect Cemetery, Prospect, CT.