Obituaries

Barry Douglas Burtt, age 75, of Brimley, Michigan, departed this world on September 20, 2023. He was born on October 29, 1947, in Washington D.C., Maryland, to Ira Douglas and Daisy Vaudeen (Boyette) Burtt.

Barry grew up in Brimley and attended Brimley High School while juggling various jobs as a teenager, including some time spent on Mackinac Island. After he graduated, he joined the United States Army with three deployments in Vietnam mostly stationed in Saigon before returning to Michigan. Once Barry moved back to Brimley, he met the love of his life, Lorri Anne Parrish; they married on April 6, 1973 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and remained side-by-side until Lorri’s death in 2015. They started their family while Barry worked for the Bay Mills Indian Community. Some of his important work included helping to establish the Bay Mills Community College while employed as a Community Planner and Developer. During this time, he also worked as a commercial fisherman with various friends from the community. Barry was passionate about justice and provided testimony to Congress in support of Treaty Fishing Rights. The family later moved to Traverse City, Michigan, where Barry worked for the Grand Traverse Band as a Tribal Manager for many years. Throughout his lifetime, Barry held many different titles in his career, including Salesman, Project Manager, Human Resources Director, and Entrepreneur. Barry retired in 2004 and moved back to his home in Bay Mills Indian Community.

Barry was an outdoorsman in his younger years, enjoying camping, two-tracking, and fishing. Those who knew Barry know of his sarcastic sense of humor, sharp wit, and uncanny ability to “BS” with the best of them. He was a "Renaissance Man" and always had an opinion of any current event taking place. Anyone who ever walked into his home knew they would be met with the sound of the news blaring in the background and an ear-to-ear smile from Barry.

Barry is survived in death by his sons, Eric (Lisa) Burtt of Traverse City, Michigan, Robert Burtt of Brimley, and William "Bill" Bouschor of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Michigan; daughter, Rachel (Casey) Lyons of Brimley; grandchildren, Evi, Andrew, Quentin, Matthew, and Neva; brother, Ronald (Kathy) Burtt of Lapeer, Michigan; sisters, Sharon "Cindy" Vaudeen of Brimley, and Shelly (Mike) Butzin of Brimley; various in-laws, including his wise-cracking partner in crime/father-in-law, Robert Parrish of Brimley. He had numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and many children of the heart that he helped to guide through life. Barry would give us all grief if we did not mention his herd of furry creatures that he loved to his dying day: Midge, Beau, Blondie, Zoggy, and Marley.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Daisy; his soulmate and wife, Lorri; brother, Stephen Burtt; and brother-in-law, H. Dale Thomas.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the Bay Mills Cultural Center, at 6:00 P.M. with a Traditional Ceremony taking place on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 11:00 A.M.

Burial will follow at Mission Hill Cemetery in Bay Mills, Michigan with full military honors presented to this amazing man. A luncheon will also be held once all ceremonies have concluded at the Cultural Center.

Memorial Contributions can be made out to the Chippewa County Animal Shelter or the Sault Ste. Marie VFW.