Barry Grylls Charlton, better known as Bart, passed away peacefully with his children at his side on Tuesday April 5, 2022 at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. He was 74.
Born in Elgin, Illinois and later moving to Chicago, Barry then lived in the Boston area for many years, before settling in New Bedford with his companion Patricia Hayes. Barry was a graduate of Batavia High School and attended college at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Bart mastered acoustic guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, and autoharp and went on to form the Rosehip String Band in Chicago in the late 1960's. Rosehip performed throughout the Midwest and released an album on Flying Fish Records in 1976. Barry was an avid Boston sports fan, a lifelong musician, and talented carpenter and fine home craftsman. He spent his career as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, setting up shop in his home barn in Hanover MA. He taught his son Blake how to play guitar at the age of 8, a passion that Blake has carried on in his own bands. His daughter Bryna carries on his tradition of building and construction in her own career.
Bart is predeceased by his mother, Ruth Winslow Allen, and his father Cecil Frederick Charlton, as well as his brother, Richard Charlton. He is survived by his children, Blake Charlton of Brooklyn NY, and Bryna Charlton of Waltham MA; his former wife Aldona Charlton; his partner Patricia Hayes; his brother Tom Charlton of Tucson; and his grandchildren, Arianna and Aidan Curry, and Wyatt Spearin.
Bart has chosen to be cremated. A private memorial service for family and friends is to be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.