LOWELL—John H. Barrett, 62 years old, a social worker at Tewksbury Hospital for 33 years, died Sunday morning June 24th, at the West Roxbury VA Hospital after a long battle with leukemia. He was the devoted husband of June (Batakis) Bowser-Barrett.
He was born in Stoneham, on February 5, 1945. He was the third child of the late David and Madeline (Nelson) Barrett, and was a graduate of the St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Malden Catholic High School and Salem State College.
Mr. Barrett served in the army artillery 101st Air Cavalry in Vietnam. He continued his service in the National Guard for eleven years as a staff sergeant, and also worked for the Town of Stoneham before coming to Tewksbury Hospital, in 1974.
For most of his career, he was an active member of the Service Employees International Union, Local 509, and served as chapter president, contract negotiator, and grievance chair. He was a member of the Billerica Irish American Club, serving several terms on the Board. He and his wife were longtime members of the Suburban Adventure Club. For over ten years, he was an enthusiastic volunteer at the Lowell Folk Festival, leading the “bucket brigade.” Every two weeks for over twelve years, he drove to the Red Cross in Dedham and donated platelets.
Mr. Barrett’s passion was nature and the outdoors. He loved camping and hiking, having climbed most of the 4,000 footers in New England. He loved spending time at his second home in Woodstock, NH, and his adopted home Woodstock Station, as well as traveling to Europe with his wife.
He leaves all of his clients and co-workers at Tewksbury Hospital, who were a huge part of his life. Besides his wife, June, he is survived by his children: Carolyn Barrett, of Tyngsboro; and Shaun D. Barrett, of Manassas, VA; his sister and brother-in-law: Madeline and Charles Brennan, of Randolph; a step-son: David Bowser, of Florida; his niece: Laura Shedin, of Stoughton; his nephews: Stephen Brennan, of Natick; and James Brennan, of Randolph; his great-nieces: Shayla and Brenna Shedin. He also leaves his former wife: Sandra (Howes) Barrett, of Tyngsboro; and his lifelong friends Lee Fitzpatrick, of Lynnfield, and Fr. Paul Duffy, of Taiwan.
Friends may call from 4 to 9 PM on Thursday, June 28th at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). His Funeral Mass to be offered on Friday, June 29th at 9 AM at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Lowell. Cremation to follow. Donations in his memory may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Donor Services; P.O. Box 4072; Pittsfield, MA 01202.