LCDR JON L. BARTO U.S. NAVY RETIRED

78, passed away Thursday February 17, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Nancy J. (Hull) Barto.

Born in Lansing, MI he was a son of the late William and Ethel (Whalen) Barto. He lived in Pawtucket, RI for the past 16 years and was formerly of Grand Rapids, MI.

He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and US Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. Jon served as a Navy Fighter Pilot and a Flight Instructor from 1965 until 1986. After a 20 plus year distinguished career as a Naval Aviator during the Vietnam era, Jon joined MITRE in 1989 as a Principal Systems Engineer. During his 32 year MITRE tenure, he was instrumental in the widespread implementation and improvements of Link 16 networks across the Department of Defense (DoD). Jon was a well-known subject matter expert in Link 16 network design and was widely sought after by many sponsors to help solve difficult network designs. Jon's work in Link 16 enhancements was truly visionary. The enhancements that he invented, once implemented, greatly increased operational efficiencies and allowed new operational constructs to be realized. The enhancements Jon envisioned were so critical to modernizing Link 16 that they became the baseline for all new DoD Link 16 implementations currently and for the foreseeable future. Jon's expertise was widely respected by the entire Link 16 community and DoD Link 16 experts alike. Link 16 has become a crucial element of military operations across the DoD and allies. Jon's contribution had a significant impact on this being realized. 

Beside his beloved wife he is survived by his loving family. Three daughters Jolizabeth Urquhart and her husband Marcus Curlee of WA. Wendy Flynn and her husband Tom of CA, Erin Moore of MA and one son Jon W. Barto and his wife Beth also of MA. He also is survived by his five cherished granddaughters and two great granddaughters, One brother Thomas Barto of CO, and nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Catherine Helms and Joellen Hornor and the father in law of the late Tom Moore.

His funeral with Military Honors will be held Thursday March 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. from the Karol A. Romenski & Sons Funeral Home 342 High Street Central Falls, RI with a Prayer Service in the Funeral Home at 11:45 a.m. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend and may call at the Funeral Home Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Burial Will be in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI. at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations in Jon's Memory to the Charity of your choice or "Potted Plant Arrangements" would be greatly appreciated.

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