Gene Barto

PENACOOK, NH – Gene Barto, age 51, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at his home in Penacook. He was born July 28, 1973, in Augusta, Maine to Paula and the late Eugene Barto Sr. Gene grew up in Gardiner, Maine, attending Richmond High School, Richmond, Maine. After high school he attended Dean College in Franklin, MA, and received his associate’s degree in criminal justice.

Gene married the love of his life, Heather (McAllister) Barto on August 13, 2005, in Richford, Vermont. Their relationship started with Gene asking Heather, “mind if I dance with you”. Through the years, he enjoyed singing karaoke to Heather like a personal concert of Garth Brooks songs. They enjoyed building a life together by going on vacations, teaching the kids how to ride bike, bartering at yard sales and flea markets, building a chicken coop condo for Heather, making repairs on the house, and even trying skiing with Olivia.

In addition to his wife, he was most proud of his children, Olivia and Blake. They were the light of his life. He regularly told them how proud he was of their accomplishments, working hard in school, never giving up, and how kind they are yet should push back when they knew something was wrong. Blake called Gene “his bud” and Gene called him “Blaker”. They had a special father-son connection that can never be replaced. Blake enjoyed going to Lucky’s Barber Shop and Longhorn Steakhouse with his dad. Olivia was independent from an early age. He enjoyed taking her and her friends to their first concert, called Olivia his “Olivia Bolivia Baby Girl”. Olivia loved spending time with her father going on drives, visiting various diners around New England, and the local flea markets.

Gene’s most recent employment was at Granite Edvance to assist with student loan processing. He worked at Grappone as a Product Specialist enjoying selling customers cars. He took pride in his work and enjoyed helping people by using the service excellence approach. He earned the John T. Grappone Leadership award, given to an employee that displayed service and essential company values. For 14 years, he worked at Rent-A-Center receiving a variety of promotions and accolades, including earning a cruise for Heather and him to enjoy. He also won several trips to Las Vegas where he enjoyed time with Jeremy, Brett, Steve, Rob, Jay, and others. Gene’s friend Mark was his “little buddy” and they regularly enjoyed games of Burnout at work.

He was the person who bought an abundance of Black Friday newspapers for family in VT. Selling AirPods was a recent hobby where he could have been an Apple consultant. For family in Maine, he offered to bring up soda or other items from NH because he “found a deal”. Those who knew Gene enjoyed his conversations and standing invitations to visit various diners in New England. He was constantly on the hunt for the best steak cooked well done. Gene would want you to test the local baked beans, show you a yard sale, or he would be the Dad on the sidelines at his kids’ lacrosse, basketball, and field hockey games. Many of Olivia’s friends often referred to him as their second Dad. He was always trying to get somebody something they need and was selfless by always putting others first.

Gene is survived by his mother: Paula Barto of Gardner, ME, his wife Heather Barto of Penacook, NH, his children Olivia and Blake Barto of Penacook, NH, his brothers Leroy Barto of Guam and Montgomery Barto of Pittston, ME, his sister Paula (PC) and Shawn Letourneau of Gardner, ME, his mother and father-in-law Richard and Dianne McAllister of Richford, VT, sister & brothers in law Shawn and Heidi Phillips of St. Albans, VT, Travis and Amanda Steinhour of Richford, VT, Christopher Perry and Allison McAllister of Enosburg, VT. Nieces and nephews including Cody and Elissa (PC), Hannah and Haylee (Heidi), Carson (Amanda), Grace and Hayden (Allison), Erica and Nicole (Montie). Gene was predeceased by his father, Eugene Barto Sr., his sisters Barbara Jean and Judith Ann.

There will be a celebration of life gathering with a meal on Friday, November 29 from 4-7pm at the Horace Chase Lodge in Boscawen NH. Come and join us for a meal and bring your Gene memories and stories to share.