1946 – 2014

AUBURN — Barry John Heath, 68, of Waterford, passed away on Sunday, July 20, at the Hospice House, after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born in Lewiston on Jan. 5, 1946, to Wilfred and Arline Judkins Heath. He graduated from Oxford Hills High School in 1964, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country for four years, two of which he was stationed in Vietnam. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Masons and had been a member of Mount Tir’em Lodge for many years.

In June 1972, Barry married Ellie Brown and they enjoyed 30 years of marriage, before her passing in 2002. Also in 1972, he began his own bottled gas delivery business, Heath Gas, in which he delivered liquid propane locally for 30 years. He really enjoyed working for himself and the freedom it afforded him to visit with friends and patrol local back roads and wood lots.

Once retired, he was able to pursue his love of antique cars and was often seen driving his Ford Model T. Barry was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, belonging to both the Waterford ATV and snowmobile clubs; he spent many hours working on and improving trails so that others could smoothly get from here to there.

Barry’s true passion, however, was mining for local gems with his longtime friend, Frank Perham. Together, with many different colleagues along the way, they mined the BB#7, GE#2, Ski Pike, Harvard, Morgan, Tamminen, Waisanen, Albany Rose and Quart Side East quarries over the past 26 years. In addition to their own mining operation, they were always available to help other fellow “rock hounds” when needed. Gary Freeman especially is someone he enjoyed helping and spending time with whenever he could.

Barry is survived by his loving companion and partner, Pam Lyons, of Rumford; his son, Toby Heath and his wife, Jodie, of Goffstown, N.H.; his sister, Trudy Truman, of Norway; and two granddaughters, Finley and Reagan Heath of Goffstown, N.H.

Condolences can be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com.