A remarkable life: Pair of couples mark 70th wedding anniversary in Templeton
TEMPLETON — A milestone was celebrated this weekend at the Henshaw Farm in Templeton and many were there to join in and rejoice.
George Barnes and Shirley Henshaw were married July 23, 1949 in the town of Templeton. Ralph Henshaw and Mildred Willis were married seven days later on July 30.
This year marks the happy occasion of both couple’s 70th wedding anniversary, which they happily celebrated with family and friends on Sunday, July 28.
The historic Henshaw Farm in Templeton, the site of the celebration, was where Ralph and Millie Henshaw were married. Ralph currently lives there and it is where he and Shirley Henshaw Barnes grew up. Amazingly, joining Ralph and Shirley at the event were their brothers Roger and Kirk Henshaw and Kirk’s wife Nancy. Also in attendance was George Barnes Sr.’s dad’s sister-in-law, Judy Barnes.
Also in attendance to recognize the amazing milestone were legislators, who presented the two couples with formal Resolutions from the State of Massachusetts.
The resolutions presented to the couples – signed by Senate President Karen Spilka; Clerk of the Senate Michael Hurley; Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and Clerk of the House Steven James – describe a tiny insight into the two couple’s rich history rich history.
The Resolutions were offered to the couples by Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer) and Representative Susannah Whipps (I-Athol)
They stated that George and Shirley Barnes met on a blind date. After meeting once again a year later in Washington D.C., they decided to travel back to the Commonwealth to get married. Settling in the town of Templeton, they raised five children – Kathleen, Thomas, George Jr., Mary, and Charles – in a nine room house built by George’s own hands for his growing family. George and Shirley created a wonderful life together. Shirley was a correspondent with the Worcester Telegram and Gazette and George dedicated his life to the U.S. Marine Corps.
Ralph Henshaw and Millie Willis first met in the town of Phillipston and began their married life together with a ceremony at the Henshaw Farm. They moved back to Templeton and raised four children: Wayne, Fred, Kenneth and Ralph Jr.
The resolutions included all the grandchildren and great grandchildren of both couples, noting that both couples “exemplify the highest ideals of the American family and the virtues essential to a happy union, and have passed them on to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
Grandchildren of George and Shirley Barnes are Thomas, Rebecca, and Michael, and great grandchildren Cody and Chase. The grandchildren of Ralph and Millie Henshaw are Stewart, Keith and Luther, and great grandchild is Amyjoy.
George Barnes Jr. explained that the 70th anniversary party was a pretty unusual event. He said the two couples were married just one week apart.
“A fun fact is my parents had to be back from their honeymoon in a week because the 1948 Nash they were driving had to be used by my aunt and uncle for their honeymoon,” said the younger Barnes, who has followed his mother as a reporter in Worcester.
He said he was thrilled to celebrate and added that his dad is almost 94, and his mom will be 93 come October. His uncle is 89 and aunt also in her 80s.
“Great people who did a lot over the years,” wrote Barnes Jr. ” I am not sure if I have this straight, but I believe my aunt and uncle were married at the family farm and my parents had their reception there. If I were to have a 70th anniversary, I would have to live to a little over 101.”
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