Today, we commemorate the life and legacy of Barbara A. Crede on what would have been her 81st birthday. Born on April 12, 1943, in Portsmouth, NH, Barbara was a woman of profound devotion and passionate pursuits. She cherished her upbringing in Kennebunk, ME, under the loving guidance of her parents, Paul and Grace Noyes.
Barbara’s life was marked by a 60-year marriage to her beloved husband, George J. Crede, Jr. Their journey together began during her service in the US Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where she met her soulmate, George. They nurtured their daughter, Dawn, in Westwood, NJ, before making Newington, CT, their cherished home.
Barbara’s professional journey was as varied as it was impactful. After her military service, she excelled in various roles in banking and manufacturing, demonstrating diligence and excellence in every position she held. However, it was her altruism and volunteerism that truly defined her legacy. Barbara was deeply involved in veteran and genealogy spheres, most notably playing a pivotal role in establishing the Wreaths Across America program at American Legion Post 117 in Newington.
Her love for family radiated boundlessly. As a devoted mother and grandmother, Barbara’s legacy lives on through her daughter Dawn, son-in-law John, and grandchildren Caroline and Patrick. Her sister Paula and extended family in Lyman, ME, also felt the warmth of her affectionate embrace.
Barbara’s memory is a testament to her abiding love for family, unwavering dedication to community, and relentless spirit of inquiry. She rests in peace with military honors at West Meadow Cemetery in Newington. As we celebrate her life on this special day, may her legacy continue to inspire and bless generations to come.
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.