Barrett, William J.

William John Barrett (Bill), 75, of Fort Pierce, Florida, passed away May 7, 2021, at home, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Son of the late Frederick W. Barrett and Mary (Carroll) Barrett, Bill was born on July 21, 1945 in Hartford, Connecticut, the fifth of eight children. In high school at Marianapolis, Bill was

president of his class and was active in sports, especially track, cross-country, and basketball. He spent summers with his family at Crescent Beach,

Niantic, Connecticut, where he worked as a lifeguard. He attended Biscayne College in Miami, Florida, and then enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in

Connecticut, serving aboard the USCGC Red Wood (WLM 685) among other duty stations. After being honorably discharged, Bill moved permanently to Florida in 1972. He later got his realtor's license and opened his own business, W. J. Barrett Realty in Vero Beach, which he managed until his retirement. Always the life of the party, Bill was known for his sense of humor. He could tell a joke and end with a perfectly-timed punchline and keep everyone laughing with his stories.

In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his sister Mary Ann Farrell and his brothers Fred and Matt Barrett. He is survived by his sister Betty Lou Bowles and husband Peter of Woodbury, Connecticut; sister Pat Shannon and husband David of Southbury, Connecticut; brother Bob Barrett and Mart Smith of Burlington, Connecticut; sister Katie Schackner and husband Michael of South Windsor, Connecticut; and sisters-in-law Pat Barrett of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York and Kathy Barrett of Niantic, Connecticut; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He also leaves behind a group of cousins and friends in the Vero Beach area that became his "Florida family": his cousin David Long, wife Lynne, and their children and grandchildren; his late cousin Larry Long, wife Gail and their family, including Ann and Brian Foley and Pat Carnevale; Joe Valente, his best friend since childhood, and Hosie Scott; and friends Sandy and Carmine Scillia. Over the years, Bill enjoyed weekly get-togethers with many of them, as well as several memorable trips and cruises with Dave and Lynne and a special visit to Ireland with his brother Bob and Brian.

The family is very grateful to all who helped Bill and stayed in touch with him in both the good and difficult times. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on September 25, 2021, at St. Peter Claver Church, 47

Pleasant St., in West Hartford, CT at 10:00 a.m.