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Rick Barus, 67, passed away on March 9th, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center after a brief but tough fight with aggressive multiple myeloma. He was a curmudgeonly but kind man who enjoyed his infamous summer “Barus Potluck Pool Parties” and sitting around a campfire eating and laughing with friends. Rick was endlessly using his carpentry and construction skills to help family, friends and his community with projects such as baling out and repairing flooded basements, fixing fire-damaged home siding, replacing leaky roofs and windows, building barns and even “engineering” a float for the local Boy Scout Troop in celebration of Chester-on-Tracks.
He could be ornery at times, but nothing delighted him quite like being “Grumpa” to his two young grandchildren. In his last visit with his granddaughter, Rick forfeited his football game in favor of watching The Incredible Dr. Pol because he knew Mary Evelyn loved animals—especially baby animals. “Grumpa” patiently answered the toddler’s seeming endless (!) queries of “Why?” while regaling her with stories of his own animal encounters (including a tale of blue-painted squirrels—Whoops). It’s hard to say who had more fun that afternoon! Rick was also delighted by the recent arrival of his infant grandson, Richard Andrew (known as “Sonny”). For weeks he could be overheard telling everyone who telephoned the house how excited he was to have three living generations of Richard Barus’.
Rick was self-employed as a sub-contractor for the PVPC and did not receive benefits such as employer health insurance. Like many older Americans, his only health insurance was Medicare. In the eight months since his cancer diagnosis, Rick accrued substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by Medicare. In the final months of his life, Rick was barely able to leave his favorite La-Z-Boy recliner much less travel Western and Central MA to meet with clients and contractors for work. Because Rick was the primary earner for the couple his lack of income has caused a real financial hardship for his wife. The two were not yet prepared for retirement and now Martha will have only Rick’s meager Social Security benefits to support her.
All donations will go directly to Rick’s wife Martha Barus. Any help easing the enormous financial burden of Rick’s cancer treatment would be greatly appreciated by his family.
He could be ornery at times, but nothing delighted him quite like being “Grumpa” to his two young grandchildren. In his last visit with his granddaughter, Rick forfeited his football game in favor of watching The Incredible Dr. Pol because he knew Mary Evelyn loved animals—especially baby animals. “Grumpa” patiently answered the toddler’s seeming endless (!) queries of “Why?” while regaling her with stories of his own animal encounters (including a tale of blue-painted squirrels—Whoops). It’s hard to say who had more fun that afternoon! Rick was also delighted by the recent arrival of his infant grandson, Richard Andrew (known as “Sonny”). For weeks he could be overheard telling everyone who telephoned the house how excited he was to have three living generations of Richard Barus’.
Rick was self-employed as a sub-contractor for the PVPC and did not receive benefits such as employer health insurance. Like many older Americans, his only health insurance was Medicare. In the eight months since his cancer diagnosis, Rick accrued substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by Medicare. In the final months of his life, Rick was barely able to leave his favorite La-Z-Boy recliner much less travel Western and Central MA to meet with clients and contractors for work. Because Rick was the primary earner for the couple his lack of income has caused a real financial hardship for his wife. The two were not yet prepared for retirement and now Martha will have only Rick’s meager Social Security benefits to support her.
All donations will go directly to Rick’s wife Martha Barus. Any help easing the enormous financial burden of Rick’s cancer treatment would be greatly appreciated by his family.