Barry J. Marcus

MILFORD - Barry J. Marcus, 88, of Milford passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Lawrence, MA on November 17, 1934, to Israel and Betty (Rappaport) Marcus.

Barry was best known for his love of repairing watches. He was a fourth-generation watchmaker who began learning the family trade at age 10. He worked alongside his father at Marcus Jeweler on Main Street, Milford until becoming its owner, in 1971, after his father retired. In 1986, Barry opened his watch repair shoppe. He loved visiting with friends and customers, while repairing their watches. Barry built a reputation on high skill and more than fair pricing. His specialty was restoring family heirlooms. Barry understood that a watch’s sentimental value was more important than its monetary value. In 2014, Barry and daughter Julie self-published “Watches I Have Known” a compilation of his Papa Barry stories. Barry did not retire. He was often in the shoppe 7 days a week. Right up until he passed away, he was asking to go to the shoppe, there were watches waiting for him.

Barry proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an Instrumentman on the U.S.S. Frontier. He was an avid sailor berthing a sailboat on Narragansett Bay until 2017. He was active in the Milford community serving on the Milford Retail Board of Trade, Concerned Citizens, B’nai Brith, president, the Woodland and Brookside School Building Committees, Rotary Club, president 1971-1973, and a long time Town Meeting Member. Barry was a member of Congregation Etz Chaim in Biddeford, Maine.

Survived by daughter Carol and her husband Brad Mattscheck of Piney Flats, TN, Julie and her husband Michael Campisi of Ayer, and Amy Gail and her husband Colin Shea of Milford. Grandchildren Alex and his wife Shelly Mattscheck, and their children Aaron, Aria, and Lucas. Melanie Mattscheck, Adam Campisi, Katie Campisi and her husband Evan Anderson, and SB Campisi. Brother, Harvey Marcus and his wife Laurie of FL, sisters Linda and her husband Charles Friedman of IL, and Susan Bradford of Eastham, MA.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Temple Beth Shalom, 55 Pine St. Milford. Burial will follow at the Worcester Hebrew Cemetery. In Jewish tradition the family will be sitting Shiva (holding calling hours) at 21 South High St. Milford on Sunday, January 22nd, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Monday, January 23rd and Tuesday, January 24th 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation, helping veterans and first responders or Congregation Etz Chaim Building Fund, P.O. Box 905, Kennebunk, Maine 04043.