Barry John Leghorn, 81, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 6, 2023. He was born October 4, 1942, to J. Russell and Rita (Talbot) Leghorn in Hartford. As the oldest male in the extended Leghorn family, Barry was the patriarch of his generation of Leghorns.

Barry, a loving son, brother, husband, father, and  grandfather, is survived by his sons, Sean, Jeremy, Brendan, and Kevin; his daughters-in-law, Vanessa and Erin; his granddaughters, Emma and Cate; his sisters, Janice Gump and husband Gary, Claire Lovell and husband Tom; his brothers, Dennis and Sandy, Wayne and wife Garra, and Glen and wife Sherri; his sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Judd; his cousin-in-law, Alison Osborne; his life-long friends, Larry and Joyce Marion, and Joe Hourihan and Antoinette (late wife). Barry was pre-deceased by his wife Helen Marie (Glasheen) Leghorn and his sister Joyce (Leghorn) Jensen.

Barry was one of the greatest basketball stars in Bulkeley High School’s (BHS) storied history and was well known in the Greater Hartford Area for his basketball achievements. In 1959 he had his BHS breakout performance scoring 69 points in three games while leading BHS to the semifinals of the CT State Tournament and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. In 1960 he was selected to the Capital District Conference First Team, the Connecticut All-State First Team, and was unanimously selected to receive Bulkeley’s Most Valuable Player Trophy.

Upon graduation from Bulkeley, he attended Trinity College where he continued to excel in the classroom (bachelor’s degree in the Classic Latin and Greek Languages), and on the hardwood in the historic Trinity Field House. His basketball exploits at Trinity included breaking the single season scoring record, being the best foul shooter on the Varsity teams during his (1961-64) 3-year varsity career (freshmen weren’t allowed to play on college varsity teams at that time). His most notable Trinity accomplishments were becoming the first Trinity basketball player to score 1000 points. He was also selected as the team’s MVP in his final season.

In 1981 he was inducted into the Trinity College Hall of Fame, and in 2015 he was inducted into the Inaugural Class in the Bulkeley High School Hall of Fame as well as the New England Hall of fame. “Veni, vidi, vici” best sums up his basketball and college career. He loved his time at Trinity and the hundreds of friends he made there in his Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was a life-long regular at basketball, football, and reunion events up to his final days.  

Barry met and married the love of his life, Helen Glasheen on July 6, 1968, and remained happily married for 54 years until her passing earlier this year. The greatest joys of Barry and Helen’s lives were the times spent with his four sons, and times spent with their extended families. Barry and Helen both had large extended families and there were frequent family gatherings with dozens of nieces and nephews who adored Barry and Helen. After retiring from the Aetna and Hartford Insurance Group, he most enjoyed spending time with friends and relatives, working out at the Aetna Fitness Center, attending local sporting events - heavily weighted towards Trinity and Bulkeley events- and spoiling his grandkids, nephews, and nieces. Additionally, he and his wife enjoyed daily lunch dates (with the “occasional” wine or beer) with their many friends. Their favorite restaurant was the Fernwood, where they had their first date circa 1967.

In his final years he was an active member of the American Legion (Post 96) having served in the Air Force Reserves during the Vietnam era. He combined his passions for the military and religion by serving as American Legion Chaplain. A devout Catholic, his dedication and faith in God were a comfort to him through the last days of his life. He was an active member of St. Helena Church, and then St. Peter Claver Church. It is a great comfort to us knowing that he is now reunited with his wife, mother, father, and sister above, and that we, too, will one day be reunited with him. The unconditional love Barry gave to all who had the great good fortune to have him as a friend will always be remembered.  

Calling hours will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, (November 13), at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, (November 14), at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St, West Hartford. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com