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Rev. James M. Barr

The Rev. James M. Barr

The Rev. James M. Barr, retired pastor of Cutchogue Presbyterian Church, died in Riverhead on Friday, July 16, 2010, at the age of 89.
Born on Feb. 21, 1921, in Greenville, N.C., to Walter Stuart and Nell (McEachern) Barr, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Maryville College and his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. A longtime Presbyterian minister, he had been an administrator with the Oakmont Presbyterian Home, now Westminster Place, in Oakmont, Pa.
In the Southold community, he was a 45-year member of the Southold Rotary Club, where he maintained perfect attendance and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a Mason for 60 years, belonging to Peconic Lodge No. 349 of the Free and Accepted Masons, and he served with East End Community services.
Even after his retirement from Cutchogue Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Barr continued his ministry with service to local churches, including the Orient Methodist Church.
Predeceased by his wife, Ruth Findley Barr, on Sept. 17, 1983, he leaves his children, Mary Ellen Wolf, David James Barr and Rebecca Ruth Barr, all of Pittsburgh, Pa., and John Findley Barr of Salisbury, N.C.; three siblings, the Rev. Walter Stuart Barr Jr. of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Frank Barr of Durham, N.C., and Dr. Byrd Barr of Tampa, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Betty Wolf, David Wolf, Joanna Barr, James Barr, John Barr, Jennifer Barr, Michael Barr, Melanie Barr, Sam Barr, Isabella Barr and Landon Barr; and a great-granddaughter, Aislinn Barr.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 25, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Masonic services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 26, at 11 a.m. at Cutchogue Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Robert Griffin and the Rev. Beverly Furey officiating. Interment will follow at Cutchogue Cemetery.
The family suggests donations may be made to the Southold Rotary Club for the benefit of the Rotary Foundation, the Peconic Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons for the benefit of the Brotherhood Fund or the charity of your choice.