Barry Puiia

Barry Puiia, 78, of Winslow, Maine passed away suddenly on January 31, 2023 at Lakewood Continuing Care in Waterville. He was born in Rumford, Maine to Eugene and Marjorie Puiia on January 30, 1945. He grew up in Rumford and attended Stephens High School where he played football and basketball and participated in track.

After high school, he attended St. Dunstan’s University in Prince Edward Island where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science majoring in chemistry. Barry spent a year teaching chemistry at Winslow High School before finding his calling as a chemist at Huhtamaki (formerly Keyes Fiber) in Waterville.

Barry was an avid hunter, and an excellent shot, and even as his health was declining, he made it a priority to get his deer every year. When he wasn’t hunting, he enjoyed building things with his hands, figuring out how things worked, and spending time on the water with his family at their camp in Hanover. He enjoyed fishing and boating, and was a big fan of country music, old westerns on TV, and had a unique sense of humor. He’ll be remembered as both a social man, and a religious man, who enjoyed going to church every week. It’s only fitting that he met the love of his life, Bernadette, while participating in the church choir. Barry and Bernadette enjoyed 40 wonderful years together. More than anything, he loved spending time with family, especially his beloved children and grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents and his sister-in-law Debbie White-Dodge. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette; his children: Paul Puiia and his wife Shannon and their daughter Elissia, Heidi Zetterman and her husband Matthew and their daughter Maya, and Adam Puiia and his wife Allison and their children Lydia and Oliver; his brothers: Larry Puiia and his wife Marcelle, Wayne Puiia, and Greg Puiia and his wife Pam; his sister: Dolly Colton; his nieces: Sarah Vezina and her husband Eric, Samantha Holman and her husband Dale, Brittany Colton, Nicole Puiia, and Megan Puiia; nephew: Cory Colton; brothers-in-law: Terry White and his wife Melanie, and Wayne White and his wife Kathy.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Notre Dame Church in Waterville. Funeral attendance is by invitation only.