William L. Barrett
1921-2020
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of William L.
Barrett, P.Eng, on February 14, 2020. What a life Dad had, being able
to live in his own home with fantastic neighbours, who watched out for
him and who helped him in every way possible, which I am forever
grateful. He has had visits from his friends and on his
99th birthday, the phone never stopped
ringing. Wow!
Dad was born on February 10, 1921, the eldest son of Sarah
and William Barrett of Forest Hill Road. As a young fellow
he had told me he delivered the Daily Mail to a lot of people on
Waterloo Row and some of the side streets. Every time we
went to Lincoln, Dad would say, so and so used to live there and I got
the history of various people who used to live in these houses along
the way, too many to mention, but his mind was sharp as a tack. I must
take after Mom, just saying.
Dad was educated in three Fredericton Schools, Morrison
Mills, Charlotte Street and FHS which was located on George
Street.
In July 1941, Dad enlisted in the RCAF and spent the next
year and a half training as a wireless operator at bases in
Valcartier, Lachine and Mountain View near Picton, Ontario.
In December 1942 Dad embarked on the Queen Elizabeth I, bound for
England and further training. In the next four or five months he
received training on the Wellington 2-PadTal engine bombers.
His training included cross country, fighter affiliation and circuits
and bumps. Dad was then posted to Topcliff, England and
training involving the Halifax four-engine aircraft. In May,
Dad and other members of his crew were assigned to the 408
«Goose» Squadron located at Leeming, Yorkshire. From this
point on Dad was involved in numerous bombing missions over
Germany. Later, Dad was posted to Linton On Ouse, near
Yorkshire, for training on the Lancaster II 4-engine bombers which had
more power and height. The Battle of Britain had begun and
by April 1944 Dad had completed 26 flights over
Germany.
After all this, Dad was posted to a conversion unit at
Wambleton, Yorkshire as a wireless instructor, this is when he met my
Mom and they were married on December 9, 1944. Before long,
Dad was headed for Canada with my Mom in tow and VE Day was proclaimed
on the high seas.
Dad’s war service was appropriately recognized, he
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Queen Elizabeth
Diamond Jubilee Medal and a medal from France and Holland for which he
was knighted.
Dad took a refresher course at the Old Normal School in order
to prepare himself for UNB, a five year civil engineering
course. Dad became City Engineer in 1953 and retired in
1979. He was so proud of our City of Stately Elms making
sure Fredericton looked pristine when dignitaries came to
visit.
Dad was involved in a lot of organizations of which he was an
Honorary member, ie: the Fredericton Legion, The Luxor Shriners, The
American Water Works Association, The Miramichi Salmon Federation, The
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New
Brunswick, The Thistle Fishing Club and the Fredericton Rotary Club,
just to name a few. Also, he received the Paul Harris Fellow award
from the Fredericton Rotary Club, the C.C. Kirby Award, which was the
most prestigious award he received from the Association of
Professional Engineers and Geoscientists. Dad was also the Past
Director of the Royal Order of Jesters.
He was very honoured and humbled by having the Fredericton
Water Treatment Plant named after him.
Dad was predeceased by his parents, Sarah and William
Barrett, my brother, Michael, my Mom, Jean and his sister, Marjorie
MacAllister. Dad is survived by his daughter, Judy (Al)
Irvine, his granddaughter, Kimberley Irvine-Doucette (Marshall), his
grandson Jeff Irvine and his beautiful great granddaughters, Maddyson,
Paige and Haley, along with his sisters, Geraldine Dewar, Joyce
Matthews, Barbara Bird, Josephine Gillies and his younger brother,
Stan Barrett, along with numerous nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be held at McAdams Funeral Home on Thursday,
February 20, 2020 at 1PM with the funeral service immediately
following at 2 pm in the J.A. Memorial McAdam Chapel. The service is
being officiated by Ven. John Sharpe and assisted by Rev. Rob
Langmaid. A reception will be held following the
service. Donations may be made to the Chalmers Hospital
Foundation, The Luxor Shriners Transportation Fund, St.
Margaret’s Anglican Church or a charity of the
Donor’s choice.
www.mcadamsfh.com
19212020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de William L Barrett 19212020..
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick