John M. Barrows

Please join us to celebrate the life of John "Veggie" Barrows from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at his parents' home, 24 Main St., in North Springfield. This would've been John’s 61st birthday. The celebration will be held by John’s favorite place, down by the brook at his parents’ home. Light refreshments will be provided. Please park in the field behind the house.

John Melvin Barrows, 60, of North Springfield, died Thursday, March 16, 2017, of cancer, surrounded by his family.

A celebration of his life will be held June 17 at his parents' home in North Springfield.

He was born on June 17, 1956, in Windsor, the son of Gloria May (Porter) and George Melvin Barrows. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1974 and attended classes at VTC and CCC.

Mr. Barrows spent a number of years working in construction, as a machinist, and finally, in special education.

He enjoyed gardening and creating the Community Garden at Turning Point Recovery Center. He was also an avid cyclist and enjoyed swimming.

Survivors include his parents, of North Springfield; three children, Martine Protas, Anthony Barrows, both of North Springfield, and Gabrielle Barrows, of North Carolina; four grandchildren; two sisters, Penny Lucas and Diana Miles; three nieces, a nephew, great-niece and great-nephew. He was predeceased in 2011 by his wife, Stephanie Carroll, whom he married in 1978.

There will be no services at this time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1 Medical Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

John Melvin Barrows, John Barrows, Veggie, Vege, Vegi, Veg

March 18, 2017
God just got a great guy to talk about many subjects with...great guy...thoughts and prayers for a family sorely missing him…
~ Steve Comstock

March 18, 2017
Rest In Peace my old friend.
~ Rob Goodrich, Springfield, Vermont

March 18, 2017
Lots of wonderful times with that man. He was kind; even when he did not have much, he shared what he had. Rest in Peace Veg.
~ Teresa Flynn, Red Springs, North Carolina

March 18, 2017
Martine, thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
~ Diana Knight, Rancho Cucamonga, California

March 18, 2017
I'm am very sorry for your loss. We used to work together at the school and he really cared about the children he worked with, and his own children very much. He was a very smart man.
~ Janice Gilbert, Springfield, Vermont

March 18, 2017
Rick and I want to express our sincere sympathy to the family of John Melvin Barrows. RIP John
~ Michelle Ferguson, Indianapolis, Indiana


Michael Johnson Thanks for information Larry I had opportunity to have a alumni weekend with Veggie few years back and grateful for that. RIP John Barrows
March 16 at 2:39pm
Josh Burleson
Josh Burleson Rip
March 16 at 2:39pm
Becki Dole Gordon
Becki Dole Gordon Rip sorry to hear 😓
March 16 at 2:45pm
Joy Leipzig
Joy Leipzig Sorry about your friend , Larry. May he rip with the water in heaven
March 16 at 2:47pm
Kelly Maginnis Millard
Kelly Maginnis Millard sorry to hear this,, i will miss seeing john around the gardens!!
March 16 at 2:51pm
Pamela Daniel
Pamela Daniel Prayer to his family
March 16 at 2:51pm
Melinda Brooks Carroll
Melinda Brooks Carroll I knew John back when the kids were little. He was a good friend of my husband. I am sad to hear of his passing.
March 16 at 3:02pm
Greg Tarbell
Greg Tarbell RIP JOHN "Veggie"
March 16 at 3:23pm
Mike Sweetser
Mike Sweetser RIP...
March 16 at 3:24pm
Vanessa Beach
Vanessa Beach Oh man ..bummer
March 16 at 3:30pm
Mindy Tyler
Mindy Tyler Sorry Larry
March 16 at 3:33pm
Randy Adams
Randy Adams RIP John Barrows
March 16 at 3:34pm
Chris Reasoner King
Chris Reasoner King RIP John, so sad.
March 16 at 3:37pm
Dave Dyer
Dave Dyer Good friends are hard to find and even harder to lose sorry to here
March 16 at 3:43pm
Arlene Runnells
Arlene Runnells RIP veggie
March 16 at 3:53pm
Melanie Eastman
Melanie Eastman Oooh, this is horrible. Rest easy John ♡
March 16 at 3:56pm
Paula Ludwig
Paula Ludwig Im so sorry Larry
March 16 at 4:13pm
Kathy O'Connor
Kathy O'Connor Sorry for your loss Larry :/
March 16 at 4:14pm
Fred Dezaine IV
Fred Dezaine IV Rip john
March 16 at 4:47pm
Pattie Barkey
Pattie Barkey sorry for the loss of a brother
March 16 at 4:50pm
Debbie Myers
Debbie Myers Sorry to hear larry if ur loss
March 16 at 5:11pm
Jessica Coleman
Jessica Coleman 😕Sending hugs
March 16 at 5:29pm
Kim Dunham Hazlett
Kim Dunham Hazlett Sorry for your loss.....
March 16 at 5:41pm
Michael Sackevich
Michael Sackevich Sad to hear about John he was a good guy
March 16 at 5:44pm
Bo Bobar
Bo Bobar Rest in peace, Bud.....
 March 16 at 5:48pm
Jeffrey Scott Currier
Jeffrey Scott Currier Wow. Sad. RIP. May the angels smile on you, handsome.
March 16 at 6:21pm · Edited
Teresa Flynn
Teresa Flynn @#$%^&* cancer! He was one of the best. R.I.P. my friend.
March 16 at 6:34pm
Steve Comstock
Steve Comstock Our loss of a pretty amazing guy is Gods gain....he will certainly keep him talking...
 3 · March 16 at 6:38pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach You can bet on that Steve
 March 16 at 6:40pm

Debs Lockwood-Tyson
Debs Lockwood-Tyson I am so sorry Larry .. condolences to family as well .
March 16 at 6:44pm
Rodger Capron
Rodger Capron Sorry for your loss of your friend Larry.
March 16 at 6:46pm
Dale Whitney
Dale Whitney Condolences to all friends and family. .. such a good guy
!
March 16 at 6:48pm
Paula Newell
Paula Newell Oh no, Veg, My friend. Your smile I will always remember. Rest now.
March 16 at 6:54pm
Phyllis Sanborn
Phyllis Sanborn
 March 16 at 6:59pm
Candice Canton
Candice Canton So sorry for your loss
March 16 at 7:04pm
Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith Oh no.....he didn't make it
 March 16 at 7:10pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach No he passed this morning
 March 16 at 8:05pm

Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith Sorry Larry Beach you know I love 💞you
March 16 at 7:12pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach Thank you Danny love you too
 March 16 at 8:04pm

Dale Whitney
Dale Whitney Can someone please get Johns parent's phone number. .. pm me !
March 16 at 7:25pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach I should remember it but I will get it for you Dale
March 16 at 8:06pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach I messaged you the number Dale
March 16 at 8:15pm

Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon RIP. John my thoughts and prayers are with your family
March 16 at 7:39pm
Christopher Koledo Sr.
Christopher Koledo Sr. Sorry to hear He passed away , I drank with Him years ago and only knew Him as Veggie , He always had a good time ,hope He passed away peacefully !
March 16 at 7:39pm
Paul Lachapelle
Paul Lachapelle Was hoping he could make for his swim in the ocean ! Never had a mean bone that I ever saw! I'll never forget his smirk / grin !! He was a good guy/friend you'll be missed my friend RIP..
March 16 at 7:52pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach No Paul I wish he could have made the trip to the water too..... he did have one of them smirk grins that you just never forget.:)
 March 16 at 8:08pm

Sue Pollard
Sue Pollard So sorry for your loss. Sending you hugs. <3
March 16 at 8:30pm
Wayne Hunt
Wayne Hunt So very sad to hear of John's passing. Very sorry that he didn't get that dip in the ocean that he was hoping for. Praying for John's soul and for his family. 🙏
March 16 at 9:01pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach I agree Wayne, I'm sorry didn't get to do that to.
 Yesterday at 12:16am

Karl Vogell
Karl Vogell Rest in Peace John.
March 16 at 9:40pm
Crystal Lariviere
Crystal Lariviere So sorry for your loss 🙏🏼
March 16 at 9:44pm
Mark E. Ankuda
Mark E. Ankuda Rest in peace brother. You were a good man Veg
March 16 at 10:11pm
Lee Hardware Grover
Lee Hardware Grover Sorry for your loss Brother.
March 16 at 10:18pm
Larry Beach
Larry Beach Thank you brother
Yesterday at 12:20am



Terry Carr
Terry Carr sorry to hear that my friend hope all is well with you
Yesterday at 12:50am
Heidi Schroeder
Heidi Schroeder That's so sad. My condolences to all. :(
Yesterday at 11:22am
Connie Smith
Connie Smith I will miss you my dear friend,very much,I love you,rest now.
Yesterday at 5:04pm
Doreen Frost
Doreen Frost RIP Vegi
Yesterday at 7:39pm
Gail Roussel Hunsdon
Gail Roussel Hunsdon Tom & I are heartbroken to hear of John's passing.
Yesterday at 7:59pm
Betty Jordan
Betty Jordan So sorry to hear of John's passing.

My dad, John "Veggie" Barrows was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer last June, and give 3 months. He has surpassed that, and until the last 2 weeks was doing relatively ok. One of his last desires is to swim in the ocean. We had thought that he would make it to my sisters wedding in NC in July to do this. Now it doesnt look like that will be possible. The only place to swim inwarm water now is Florida, so we are trying to get him to Florida to see the sun, step in the sand and swim inthe ocean for a day or 2. We need to raise money for airfare for 2 (he cant go alone), lodging for 2 days and probably food, taxi to beach etc.-I anticipate that I can do this for him within $2500. Martine Barrowsprotas Help spread the word!