Kurt Barensfeld

Kurt Barensfeld passed away on April 13, 2026, at Albany Medical Center, from pulmonary fibrosis, with his family by his side. He was, above all, a good man. He was kind and generous, and good-natured even when dealing with tough health problems.

Kurt was born on June 3, 1944, and raised in Middleburgh Heights, Ohio,a suburb of Cleveland. He graduated from Berea High School and Ohio State University, with a major in history. During college, he took a year off to travel in Europe, staying and working for several months in Munich, Germany. After college, Kurt moved to Los Angeles, stayed for a year, then grabbed a chance to move to New York City and a job as a salesman in the garment district. He found that he wasn’t cut out for that job, so to speak, and soon entered into public education as a long-term sub while also taking ed courses at Hunter College. The NYC budget crisis of that time hit teachers hard and his job was cut. He started working with a friend on interior construction jobs and eventually woodworking, which became his lifelong career and passion.

During this time, Kurt was also developing his talent as a singer and musician, leaning into blues and rock. He was a gifted electric guitarplayer, but his real instrument was the blues harp, AKA harmonica. He played in several clubs in NYC and was considering a career in music. Though woodworking and cabinetmaking won out, he always continued playing, learning, and expanding his musical skills, as well as performing.

In 1973, Kurt met Teresa Nolan, who was at the time preparing to enter Cornell and move to Ithaca, NY. They were just friends for several years, until 1977 when Teresa moved to NYC permanently, and the two went to see a friend’s rock band and soon fell in love. In July 1978, they got married at Grace Church and began what was to become a 47-year adventure.

At that time, Kurt and Teresa lived in the Greenwich Village area of NYC,and they enjoyed the arts, music, and culture that a life in NYC offered. Even more, they shared the joy of parenting daughter Marta and son Owen.

By 1992, Kurt and Teresa were hankering to change location and raise their kids in an area more like where they’d each grown up, in a house with a lawn, in a rural setting but also close to entertainment, the arts, and music. After having rented a tiny cabin for several summers in Craryville, NY, they made the move to the Village of Chatham, NY.

It was a leap of faith. Kurt had to reestablish his business, Barensfeld Cabinets. Teresa, who had left a job in the corporate world to become a freelance copyeditor, had to rev up her remote business. With teamwork, perseverance, and a lot of love, they overcame the challenges.

Making money was not always easy, but their little family thrived in the ways that counted, with good friends, a welcoming church, an excellent public school system, swimming lessons at Crellin Park, movie nights at the Crandell, picnics on the lawn at Tanglewood, and so many other happy times.

Kurt continued his musical endeavors, assembling his band, Kid Kurt and the Bad Boys, which morphed into the Kid Kurt Blues Band. They played at many local venues as well as some farther away. Not limiting himself to one musical genre, Kurt had a rich tenor voice and sang in two chorale groups: Albany Pro Musica and the Broad Street Chorale. He also sang for many years in the St. Peter’s Church choir.

In 2000, Kurt faced his biggest challenge up to then: He was diagnosed with rectal cancer. After a rough year of pretreatment chemo and radiation, surgery, and posttreatments, and with the love and support of family and friends, he fully recovered. For the rest of his life, he lived with an ostomy, but never complained or let it stop him from enjoying life, including camping, bicycling, and travel.

Kurt and Teresa took four cross-country road trips, first in 1982 from NYC to LA, and the other three more recently from Chatham to San Francisco, CA, where their daughter Marta had settled. They often made shorter trips to Ohio, where Kurt had family; Plattsburgh, NY, where Teresa has family; and the Finger Lakes. When Marta moved to California, she and Kurt went on what became known as the “epic father-daughter road trip.” Along the way, they visited relatives, camped, and explored National Parks. Kurt really enjoyed driving and seeing so much of America!

Kurt and Owen were on a journey as well, working together in Kurt’s woodworking shop. Eventually, Owen took over the business, concurrently with his career in the arts.

Kurt was a devoted father and grandfather. Marta and Owen were the joy of his life, a joy that grew with the arrival of grandchildren Rui, Maisie, and Fiona. Though the grandkids live in California, Kurt was able to see them on visits once or twice a year and during frequent video chats. While Kurt was in the hospital with his last health battle, he was able to meet and hold baby Fiona, a very special memory.

Kurt believed in giving back to his community. He was a member of St. Peter's Presbyterian Church in Spencertown, NY, and served at various times as an elder, deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, and choir singer. He was a Cub Scout Den Leader and volunteered at the Chatham Central schools, chaperoning class field trips and band and orchestra trips, as well as teaching “Fun with Wood” in the elementary after-school program.

Kurt was also a lifelong avid reader. He lived with his last health challenges over the past few years with grace and a good book.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Teresa, children Marta Barensfeld (Grant Goodrich) and Owen Barensfeld; grandchildren Rui, Maisie, and Fiona Goodrich; sister, Lynn Cooper; brother, Mark Barensfeld; beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family is planning a Celebration of Kurt's Life this summer on a date to be announced.

Arrangements are entrusted to Robert M. Donaghue, French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham.