Former Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, Albert W. Barney of
St. Johnsbury, passed away at his home Monday, May 10, 2010, at the age
of 89. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Oct. 23, 1920, the son of Albert
Wilkins Barney Sr. and Marion Bisbee Barney. Judge Barney graduated
from St. Johnsbury Academy as valedictorian of the class of 1938 and in
later years became a member of the Board of Trustees. Judge Barney
received his undergraduate degree from Yale University. After serving in
the United States Navy during World War II, he graduated from Harvard
Law School. On Oct. 16, 1948, he and Helen Rondeau were married in
Portsmouth, N.H. Prior to beginning a legal career, Al built the original
building that grew into The Farm Boy Restaurant. Together he and Helen
operated the drive-in and sold ice cream. Judge Barney was admitted to
practice in 1949 and represented the town of St. Johnsbury in the House of
Representatives in 1951, served as judge of the Caledonia Municipal Court
from 1951 to 1952, and on Jan. 11, 1952, he was appointed to the Superior
Court bench, where he served until 1959. At that time, he was elected
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and became Chief Justice on
March 2, 1974, remaining in that capacity until his retirement on Jan. 1,
1983. He was known for his straightforward approach to the writing of
Supreme Court opinions, opinions that are constantly referred to today in
legal circles. Chief Justice Barney was a longtime faculty member with the
American Academy of Judicial Education. From 1981 to 1982 he brought
honors to the state of Vermont as the elected chairman of National
Conference of Chief Justices. Al was a past long-standing Rotarian; he and
others conceived the idea of a planetarium at the Fairbanks Museum, and
he was instrumental in the development of the Rotary Planetarium at the
Fairbanks Museum. Al also thought it was a shame there were plans to tear
down the St. Johnsbury House and was part of the movement that ended
up saving the grand hotel. He is survived by Helen, his wife of 61 years;
three daughters,: Marianne Barney of Franconia, N.H., Joan D'Angelo and
husband Michael of Tilton, N.H., Kathleen Bussiere and husband Michael
of Peacham; eight grandchildren, Ethan and Alexandra, Arletta and Willis,
Nicholas and Julianna, Sarah and Christopher; one great-granddaughter
Hannah; Helen's sister Shirley Brittell of Clinton, Mass.; cousins, nieces
and nephews. He was predeceased by Helen's sister Barbara Nason and
by Helen's brother Robert Rondeau. Memorial services will be held in St.
Johnsbury this Saturday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at The North Congregational
Church, 1325 Main St. Family committal services will have been held at the
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Given his love of St. Johnsbury Academy,
contributions could be directed to St. Johnsbury Academy, c/o Tammy
Cady, 1000 Main St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.
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