George Barry

George Barry was born on June 1, 1908. Orphaned by the age of two, George was raised by his grandmother, Josette Sosiad Agose Morrison Aspinwall and various aunts and uncles east of Beaulieu, MN. George, known as Chitah, said that he didn't know his full name until he started school. He would walk to school and was happy when winter arrived so that he could "cut across the lake" after it had frozen over. George stayed in school until the 8th grade and then began working for various local farmers earning money so he could take care of his grandmother. He worked as a ranch hand most of his life but also worked for a short time at the Mahnomen Liquor Store. In the 1930's, George was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps and actually called himself one of the "original CCC boys." They were involved in several projects on the White Earth Indian Reservation. George's crew cleared brush at Net Lake and he was full of praise for the CCC and President Roosevelt's plan for economic reform. George loved the outdoors. He enjoyed sitting in the sun and when he was younger, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping muskrat. His constant regret was the fact that he could no longer get out of his wheelchair, which he called his "buggy" and walk around outside. George also loved cars and at one time owned a Model T, a Model A and "two Pontiacs." Many of George's stories involved his love of animals. He said he paid $25 for his first horse and he would talk about how he let his cat sleep in bed with him. George also loved children, playing checkers, the Minnesota Vikings and watching the Price Is Right on TV. George moved into the Hillview Board and Care in Waubun for a short time and was later transferred to the Mahnomen Health Center in January of 1996 due to declining health. George continued to make the Health Center his home until his death on Sunday, April 22, 2007, at the age of 98. Although George suffered with significant hearing loss, he was able to interact and, in fact, enjoyed teasing the staff at MHC. George was well loved and will be remembered for his stories and his love of Tootsie Rolls. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Henry and Josette Aspinwall and a half brother, Robert Beaulieu. Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at 10 am at the Mahnomen Health Center. Visitation was held one hour prior to the funeral. Burial was in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.

George Barry

June 1, 1908 - April 22, 2007