Wilfred (Will) Barbeau

When Will Barbeau died at the age of 101 on May 14, Rhode Island lost one of its greatest environmental pioneers and storytellers. Wilfred “Will” Barbeau lived most of his adult life in Barrington with his Bates College love, Melissa, by his side. And, while his three children – Susannah, Laura, and Andrew – whom he called “his three chuckleheads,” were his pride and joy, he built myriad relationships with environmentalists, fishermen, musicians, racquetball players, and community members. He was happy to share his opinions on politics, conservation, and life in general, and he could spin a good yarn. 

            Though born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Will moved to Rhode Island in 1956 where he and Melissa founded Barbeau Associates in Providence, a public relations and advertising agency. His lifelong love of saltwater fishing began during his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and by the early 1970s he helped to establish the East Bay Anglers Fishing Club. He could spin a tale about his fishing exploits but he also organized and promoted annual fishing and environmental seminars focused on striped bass conservation and marine resource management.

            One of his memorable fish tales took place on the first day of fishing season, after he had attended a formal event the evening before. Still dressed in a tuxedo, he threw coveralls over his formal wear and headed out to sea on his boat Willpower in the early hours of the morning. Upon catching the first striped bass of the season, he threw off the coveralls and stood there resplendent in his tuxedo proudly holding up his catch.

            Will also held a special place in his heart for music. He played the clarinet from his high school days until just days before he died. From 1994 to 2018, Will served as both clarinetist and music manager for the Providence Civic Orchestra of Senior Citizens. And residents and staff of both Atria Bay Spring Village and Hattie Ide Chaffee Home were delighted by his impromptu one-man concerts of jazz classics and 1940s music while he resided there.

            At Will’s 99th birthday party, several friends from his former orchestra joined him in playing a variety of hits for guests much to the delight of the crowd.

            Two particularly poignant events marked Will’s 100th year in 2025. He was featured on WPRI-TV’s Street Stories and was interviewed by news anchor Mike Montecalvo. During this interview, Will was invited to travel to Washington DC with the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. Alongside fellow veterans, and one other veteran of WWII, he visited Arlington National Cemetery and memorials honoring those who served and sacrificed for our nation. 

            Will never took for granted the fact that he reached the age of 101, and was grateful for the many people who loved him and who he loved along the way. While his beloved Melissa died five years before him, he kept his wedding ring on until his death. And, when he was in his mid-90s and she was ill, he navigated several sets of stairs in their home to do the laundry. He announced with wonder one day, “You know when you wash smaller loads, the clothes get cleaner!”

            The list of people who loved and were loved by Will is very long. He was predeceased by his beloved Melissa, his parents, and his sister, Lorraine Rappaport. He is survived by his three children: Rev. Susannah Currie and her husband, Deane; Laura Choiniere and her husband, Robert; and Andrew Barbeau. He leaves five grandchildren: Rev. Sage Cole and her husband, Ted; Grace Izzi and her husband, Nicholas; Benjamin Currie and his wife, Desiree; Jonathan Barbeau; and Alexandra Husted and her husband, Will. Additionally, he is survived by great-grandchildren: Theo and Zach Cole; Elijah and Charlotte Izzi, and Dylan and Ralph Currie. He also leaves his niece, Michele Rappaport Zauche.

Calling hours will be at the Smith-Mason Funeral Home at 398 Willett Ave. in Riverside, RI from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Health Hospice at hopehealthco.org.

Burial will be private.

Wilfred (Will) Barbeau

When Will Barbeau died at the age of 101 on May 14, Rhode Island lost one of its greatest environmental pioneers and storytellers. Wilfred “Will” Barbeau lived most of his adult life in Barrington with his Bates College love, Melissa, by his side. And, while his three children – Susannah, Laura, and Andrew – whom he called “his three chuckleheads,” were his pride and joy, he built myriad relationships with environmentalists, fishermen, musicians, racquetball players, and community members. He was happy to share his opinions on politics, conservation, and life in general, and he could spin a good yarn. 

            Though born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Will moved to Rhode Island in 1956 where he and Melissa founded Barbeau Associates in Providence, a public relations and advertising agency. His lifelong love of saltwater fishing began during his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and by the early 1970s he helped to establish the East Bay Anglers Fishing Club. He could spin a tale about his fishing exploits but he also organized and promoted annual fishing and environmental seminars focused on striped bass conservation and marine resource management.

            One of his memorable fish tales took place on the first day of fishing season, after he had attended a formal event the evening before. Still dressed in a tuxedo, he threw coveralls over his formal wear and headed out to sea on his boat Willpower in the early hours of the morning. Upon catching the first striped bass of the season, he threw off the coveralls and stood there resplendent in his tuxedo proudly holding up his catch.

            Will also held a special place in his heart for music. He played the clarinet from his high school days until just days before he died. From 1994 to 2018, Will served as both clarinetist and music manager for the Providence Civic Orchestra of Senior Citizens. And residents and staff of both Atria Bay Spring Village and Hattie Ide Chaffee Home were delighted by his impromptu one-man concerts of jazz classics and 1940s music while he resided there.

            At Will’s 99th birthday party, several friends from his former orchestra joined him in playing a variety of hits for guests much to the delight of the crowd.

            Two particularly poignant events marked Will’s 100th year in 2025. He was featured on WPRI-TV’s Street Stories and was interviewed by news anchor Mike Montecalvo. During this interview, Will was invited to travel to Washington DC with the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Honor Flight Hub. Alongside fellow veterans, and one other veteran of WWII, he visited Arlington National Cemetery and memorials honoring those who served and sacrificed for our nation. 

            Will never took for granted the fact that he reached the age of 101, and was grateful for the many people who loved him and who he loved along the way. While his beloved Melissa died five years before him, he kept his wedding ring on until his death. And, when he was in his mid-90s and she was ill, he navigated several sets of stairs in their home to do the laundry. He announced with wonder one day, “You know when you wash smaller loads, the clothes get cleaner!”

            The list of people who loved and were loved by Will is very long. He was predeceased by his beloved Melissa, his parents, and his sister, Lorraine Rappaport. He is survived by his three children: Rev. Susannah Currie and her husband, Deane; Laura Choiniere and her husband, Robert; and Andrew Barbeau. He leaves five grandchildren: Rev. Sage Cole and her husband, Ted; Grace Izzi and her husband, Nicholas; Benjamin Currie and his wife, Desiree; Jonathan Barbeau; and Alexandra Husted and her husband, Will. Additionally, he is survived by great-grandchildren: Theo and Zach Cole; Elijah and Charlotte Izzi, and Dylan and Ralph Currie. He also leaves his niece, Michele Rappaport Zauche.

Calling hours will be at the Smith-Mason Funeral Home at 398 Willett Ave. in Riverside, RI from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Health Hospice at hopehealthco.org.

Burial will be private.

https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/east-bay/barrington-world-war-ii-veteran-passes-away-at-101-years-old/