Richard ‘Dick’ Erwin Barrett
PITTSTOWN - Richard ‘Dick’ Erwin Barrett passed away peacefully on Friday July 22, 2016 at 90 years of age, with his wife Lena M. (Cary) Barrett by his side. Richard and Lena were married nearly 70 years ago on February 2, 1947. Richard was the first-born child to Ervin ‘Irving’ Lucious Barrett and Mary Ann Clements. He was born on May 4, 1926 in the Village of Potsdam, NY.
During Richard’s earlier years, he attended a two room school house in Hopkinton, NY. Immediately after leaving high school, he was employed at Aloca in Massena, NY and later worked in the manufacturin ing industry and on dairy farms. Richard attended the School of the Blind Buffalo, NY and worked for the Association of the Blind in Albany, NY for 17 years.
In more recent years, he spent the majority of his time in Grafton, NY where he jointly owned and mancookalaged Lena’s Kitchen with his wife for 27 years. He cherished his time chatting with customers and ing. His homemade weekly Mac n’ Cheese dish was ways in high demand on Friday nights. Richard was a hard worker, although handicapped beginning at a young age he and his famRichfamLeague, ily were determined not to let it hinder his life. ard shared his excitement as a Met’s baseball fan. He impressively kept track of a wide variety of local and national professional sports statistics. He found joy in camping with ily, bowling as a member of the Association of the Blind’s Bowling and looked forward to an(Jonual visits at the Saratoga Race Track.
Richard took pride in his family. He is survived by his beloved wife Lena, five children, Steven D. Barrett, Marshall L. (Constance) Barrett, Sharon S. seph) Archambault, Mitzi L. (Roman) Bezduch, and Richard ‘Ricky’ E (Judith) Barrett, Jr., one brother Reginald M. (Judith) Bargrandchilrett, eleven grandchildren, nineteen great dren and one great great granddaughter. Richard was predeceased by his daughter Sheila A. Barrett, brother Donald W. Barrett, and sister Beverly A. (Barorigin rett) Richardson.
Richard’s surname comes from Great Britain. His paternal grandfather, William Parrott, born in Leighton Buzzard, EngParWilland was the first to settle in North America to seek more opportunity. In 1891, William first lived in Lake Ontario, Canada, at this time the family surname was converted from rott to Barrett. During liam’s time in Lake Ontarof io, he worked at a logging camp. Soon after, William moved to the United States, settling in Fort Jackson, NY the Adirondacks.
Family and friends are vited to the wake from 4 – 7 pm following a 7 pm funeral service on Wednesday July 27, 2016 at the Marra Funeral Home in Cohoes, NY. In lieu of flowers, conGrafton, tributions may be made to the Grafton Rescue Squad, PO Box 2, Grafton, NY 12082 or Grafton Fire Department, PO Box 134, NY 12082.