12/29/32 - 11/5/20
NOVA has lost a very special member of our community, Jerry Barrett. One NOVA member said: "The scope of Jerry's interests and the ferocity of his commitments is astounding. His humility, gentleness, mischievousness, and blinding smile are even more so.
May his light remain within our community."
We hope you can know him a little better by reading the piece below:
NOVA has lost a very special member of our community, Jerry Barrett. One NOVA member said: "The scope of Jerry's interests and the ferocity of his commitments is astounding. His humility, gentleness, mischievousness, and blinding smile are even more so.
May his light remain within our community."
We hope you can know him a little better by reading the piece below:
Nova lost a beloved friend last week, November 5. Jerry and his wife Rose were founding members and stalwarts in our community. Our hearts go out to Rose, their children and grandchildren. We are bereft; we can only imagine the depth of their loss.
Jerry was a wonderful storyteller and prolific writer, sharing stories about growing up, about the wife he adored and the sons who were his pride and joy, about his work and his projects. He commented recently that he didn’t talk or write about his feelings; the truth is his warmth and humor shone through everything he did.
Jerry wasn’t a big guy. He was soft-spoken and seemingly reticent. And when he spoke, we listened.
Jerry made a gift of his presence. When he was with you, he was completely with you. He listened intently. He learned what you cared about and what interested you, and he remembered. He’d bring you an article or a book to read, or email about an upcoming event you might like.
He taught us about consensus, the system we use for making critical decisions – and he gave us refreshers when we needed them…and sometimes we really needed them.
He was an expert mediator and negotiator, and taught his methods to others, but what made him truly good at it was that he genuinely wanted to help. He cared about the people on all sides of a conflict, listened without judgment, learned what was important, and gently and in his understated way, offered other ways of looking at the situation. It didn’t look like magic, but it was resoundingly effective.
Jerry shared his many gifts with Nova. He answered the NOVA call for volunteers to distribute food for AFAC and for the annual winter shelter. He served for over 25 years right up to 87 years old. He was teacher, leader, facilitator, chronicler. Above all, he was cherished friend. He leaves behind a community of grateful admirers/grieving friends and a silent void. Jerry Barrett, presente.
Jerry was a wonderful storyteller and prolific writer, sharing stories about growing up, about the wife he adored and the sons who were his pride and joy, about his work and his projects. He commented recently that he didn’t talk or write about his feelings; the truth is his warmth and humor shone through everything he did.
Jerry wasn’t a big guy. He was soft-spoken and seemingly reticent. And when he spoke, we listened.
Jerry made a gift of his presence. When he was with you, he was completely with you. He listened intently. He learned what you cared about and what interested you, and he remembered. He’d bring you an article or a book to read, or email about an upcoming event you might like.
He taught us about consensus, the system we use for making critical decisions – and he gave us refreshers when we needed them…and sometimes we really needed them.
He was an expert mediator and negotiator, and taught his methods to others, but what made him truly good at it was that he genuinely wanted to help. He cared about the people on all sides of a conflict, listened without judgment, learned what was important, and gently and in his understated way, offered other ways of looking at the situation. It didn’t look like magic, but it was resoundingly effective.
Jerry shared his many gifts with Nova. He answered the NOVA call for volunteers to distribute food for AFAC and for the annual winter shelter. He served for over 25 years right up to 87 years old. He was teacher, leader, facilitator, chronicler. Above all, he was cherished friend. He leaves behind a community of grateful admirers/grieving friends and a silent void. Jerry Barrett, presente.
