North Andover - Randolph (Ranny) Parker Barton (1932-2026) passed away in North Andover, MA on Saturday, May 16th following a short illness. Ranny was born September 15, 1932, to his parents Robert Brown Morison Barton and Sarah Mann "Sally" Parker Barton. He spent his childhood in Salem and Marblehead, MA. After a tour of duty in the Army where he served in Fairbanks, Alaska, he married his wife, Maudy and went to the University of Virginia from which he graduated in 1957. He then joined the family business, Parker Brothers, the game manufacturer founded by his grandfather, George S. Parker. The family sold the business to General Mills in 1968 and in 1973 Barton was made President and held this position for 11 years until he retired.

Ranny served as President of the Board of Trustees of Shore Country Day School. He also served as President of The Essex Institute and was instrumental in the 1992 merging of it with the Peabody Museum into what is today the Peabody Essex Museum, where he was the first Chairman of the board.

A lifelong sailor and ocean racer, Ranny served as the Rear Commodore of the Boston Station of the Cruising Club of America (1986-1987) and Commodore of the Manchester Yacht Club (1978-1979) and also organized the first cruise of the MYC to the St. John River in New Brunswick, Canada. He skippered his sailboats in numerous Newport Bermuda Races and Marblehead Halifax Races. He and Maudy sailed their boat, ENCHANTED, as far afield as Newfoundland, Bermuda and the Bahamas. They traveled extensively, visiting over 50 countries across all seven continents. They also loved their home on Foster Island in Maine, a place that brought the family together.

He was predeceased by his wife Maud Palmer Barton and his daughter Isabel Young. He is survived by two of his children, Robert Barton and his wife Leslie of Newburyport, MA, William Barton and his wife Annie of Beverly Farms, MA; his son-in-law Dave Young of Rockport, MA; grandchildren, Duncan Barton and his wife Emily, Ian Barton and his wife Michelle, Kai Young, Jarrod Young; step grandchildren Caitlin and Molly Scully; and two great grandchildren, Rowan Barton and Ellis Barton. He is also survived by his sister, Sally Mann.

For online condolences, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com