John W. Barrett, of Concord, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 25, 2023, at age 95. He was eleven days shy of his 96th birthday.
John was born on December 6, 1927, in Brighton, MA to Margaret (Russell) Barrett and John W. Barrett.
John worked many jobs around Boston before starting his career at MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics as an electrical engineer in Cambridge, MA. While at MIT, he completed his studies at Boston University with a major in Astronomy and Physics. At MIT, he mentored many graduate students and maintained a long friendship with several of them. He also greatly enjoyed working on weather-related research projects with NASA. After 50 years of employment with MIT, he went to Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA. There he worked on many projects, including building radio telescopes on the summit of Moana Kea, HI. He retired from the Astrophysics Center after 20 years at age 89.
John is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Ann (Humphrey) Barrett. They enjoyed traveling to Bermuda and many trips to Hawaii. They also spent many wonderful summers at their home in Hollis, NH.
John is also survived by his children Robert Barrett (Eliane) of Chelmsford, Annmarie Chang of North Truro and Concord, Irene Barrett of Boxborough, Jane Barrett and her husband David Westcott of Concord, and John Barrett (Sue) of Bolton.
He also leaves his grandchildren, Bill Barrett of San Diego, CA, Jennifer Mitchell (Ralph) of Concord, Elizabeth Chang of North Truro, Samantha Duarte (Michael) of Concord, Amelia Ludwick of South Boston, Benjamin Ludwick of New York City, Luc Barrett of Bolton, and his great-grandchildren Savannah Barrett-Wronski, Colton Duarte, and Jemma Mitchell of Concord.
He was predeceased by his grandson Thomas J. Barrett and his son-in-law Guillermo Chang, and his siblings William Barrett (Alice), Mary Torres, Rita Hussey (Ken), and Marguerite Clifford (Leo), and his cousin Father Tiernan (Tim) O’Callaghan. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Monday, December 4th from 4 to 7 pm at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. John’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 5th at 10:30 am in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org).
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. For John’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
