Barry Owen Shorthouse

Barry Owen Shorthouse, 88, of Monroe, MI died November 14, 2022, just 5 days short of his 89th birthday. Barry was the husband of Donna Sottile, father, of Julie Elizabeth Shorthouse (Gareth Burnett) of Newmarket England, and Katherine (John) Boyer, Cambridge England, Eric (Stacy) Sottile of, AZ and Andre’ (Erica) Sottile of Monroe. His treasured grandchildren Andrew and Genevieve Sottile, Michaela (Chris) Tweten AZ, and Tristen D’ Angelo AZ, brother Clive Shorthouse (Mary) of Newhaven England, nieces Clare (John) Fowler, Fleur, (Geoff) Hemmings, Charlotte (Marcel) Xerri and their families also of England. He looked forward to his daily chats with his older cousin Bill Shorthouse, Waterlooville England, and friend Grace Franks Soittle Wildt. Badger, as he was referred to by his dad, was preceded in death by his parents Francis Clive and Ann Rose (Murray) Shorthouse. Barry was born in Southampton, England in November of 1933. He was a graduate of Taunton School, along with his lifelong friend Jim Wilkes, who also settled in MI. He pursued education with a passion receiving degrees including a B.Sc. Southampton University Chemistry. A DLC and B. Sc University of Loughbrough in systems control; University of London, Mathematics; a DIC and M.Sc. from Imperial College London; and capping it all being granted a Ph.D. from Churchill College of the University of Cambridge England. He was one of the first half dozen graduate/research students admitted to Churchill College, the place where he again made some lifelong close friends, in particular Graham Thomas. Barry enjoyed returning to Churchill and Cambridge for Alumni events. Whilst pursuing graduate studies, in addition to studies and various other activities he coached the Churchill College Cambridge Rowing Team, designed the Churchill College Tie, using Sir Winston’s Racing colors as the inspiration. In his progression from Lecturer to Full Professor were UK stints at Universities of Cambridge, Exeter, Southampton, and Liverpool where he was also Director of the Design Study Group UK. In 1974/75 while at the British Open University he was designated as the Representative of British Universities to the Americas taking up an office in Washington DC. In this capacity he was fortunate to attend many Bicentennial events. His favorites were being aboard the Aircraft Carrier Forrestal on July 6, 1976, and attendance at White House functions. Barry had responsibility for presenting the OU concept to faculties at various academic meetings. It was at one of these events that he and Donna met. They were married shortly thereafter. He also held professorial positions at Eastern, Wayne State and Michigan Universities. Barry loved the water, to be on a boat, be it the pram dingy his dad first pushed him out in at aged 3, or many years later at the helm of Bramble, his last sailing yacht. His current sailing memberships are with the Monroe Boat Club and of the Island Sailing Club (UK). His love of teaching coincided with the need for crew and a good many young lads were enticed to crew be it a weeknight race ‘round the cans’, the various ILYA races or more the challenging Mackinaw Races. Whilst at Taunton one of the Masters encouraged him to pursue fine arts as a career as opposed to the sciences in which he also excelled. Older heads advised him that he could ‘do art as a hobby’ whilst he assured himself of a good living as a scientist. So, he did as they suggested. Following retirement, he and Donna managed to travel to the far corners of the world often on a cruise ship, on occasion, they were accompanied by Monroe County Library’s Brown Bear, the main character of Aunt Bett’s children’s book. Locally, he was a participant in the Monroe Watercolor group and the Digital Photography group, and the Floral City Harmonizers where he enjoyed both the camaraderie of the group, the practices, and the performances. His early interest in singing was honed as a choirboy at the nearby Anglican Church. He was also a member of Monroe Historical Society, Monroe Genealogical Society, Friend of the Library, and several other similar organizations. Visitation will be held on Saturday November 19 beginning at 10:00 am at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161 where funeral services celebrating Barry’s life will be that afternoon at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Shorthouse Sottile Scholarship Fund at St. Mary Catholic Central, Monroe Catholic Elementary School Scholarship Fund, St Jude or Monroe County Library System. Many thanks to his personal caregivers particularly, Pat, Taylor; The Ohioians staff, and his caring support group at Hampton Manor Dundee. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.

Barry Owen Shorthouse

November 19, 1933 - November 14, 2022