IN MEMORIAM

Guy J. Barton, 69, Civic Leader;

Cooperstown Area Entrepreneur

FORT PLAIN – Guy J. Barton, 69, the Village of Fort Plain’s foremost civic leader and an entrepreneur and businessman in the Cooperstown area for decades, died Friday, July 1, 2016, at Bassett Hospital after a brief illness.

Calling hours and the funeral are this afternoon in Fort Plain. (See below)

Born on January 16, 1947, he was the son of Guy E. Barton and Dorothy Weyant Barton. He was a graduate of Fort Plain High School, Class of 1965. He received his associate’s degree from SUNY Cobleskill in 1967. He was a lifetime resident of Fort Plain.

Locally, he operated Lake N Pines and the Hickory Run Motel, both on Otsego Lake.  He initiated the Cooperstown Limousine Service, and was a partner in Barton & Butler printers on Pioneer Street.

Mr. Barton had been the mayor of the Village of Fort Plain for 11 years (2005-16); previously, he had been a village trustee since 1975, and before that town board member.  He was also a school bus driver for 40 years.

He was in the Army Reserves in 1965-78.

He was a member of the Fort Plain Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as past president and was a 50-year member. He was past president of the Fort Plain Senior Citizens Center, past member of Board of Directors of Cooperstown Chamber, and was an avid Yankee fan.

His brother, Kenneth O. Barton predeceased him.

Mr. Barton is survived by his wife, Cynthia M. Barton; daughter, Jill and Erik Christiansen; son, Scott A. Barton; three grandchildren, Brady, Eli, and Hanna Christiansen.

A memorial service is planned at 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 5, at the Harry Hoag Gymnasium, High Street, Fort Plain, with Rev. Kenneth Dingman officiating.  Calling hours will precede the service from 4 to 6 p.m.  The Fort Plain Volunteer Fire Department will escort Guy to his final resting place in Fort Plain Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Fort Plain.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Guy J. Barton may be made to the family for the grandchildren’s future college education or to the Fort Plain Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 374, Fort Plain, NY 13339.