Robert Warren Barrett of Wellesley, formerly of Newton passed away on December 18, 2020 in peace at Newton Wellesley Hospital after a sudden and unexpected decline in health this fall. Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Joan (Sheehan) of 54 years; their four children and families: Tracey of Los Altos, CA (Brad, Samantha and Blake); Todd of Bedford and Lexington, MA (Maria, Alexandra and Isabella); Tim of Wellesley, MA (Michelle and Elizabeth) and Tyler of Nashville, TN (Kelly, Ryan and Jack); and his two brothers, James Norman of Houston, TX and Richard of Needham, MA. He was preceded in death by his sister, Muriel, of Falls Church, VA.
Bob was born on August 2, 1938 in Cambridge, MA to James and Sarah (O’Reilly) Barrett. He was a proud graduate of Matignon High School in 1956 and of Boston College in 1960. Bob went onto a successful career first in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and Edwin L. Pride before becoming Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Financial Publishing Company from which he retired in 1999. Bob met his wife on Cape Cod in the summer of 1965, was engaged on Christmas Eve, and married the following June 1966. He adored his wife and regularly spoke about her untiring service to others and her beauty. Bob was active in his children’s schools honored by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception with the St. Francis of Assisi Medal for service to Mount Alvernia Academy. Bob taught his children the importance of education, hard work, strong mind, generosity and determination. Bob was a life-long Catholic taking his faith seriously and often engaging his parish’s priest in a theological or philosophical discussion. He loved the Cape, especially puttering around on his boat during summer weekends on Herring River or Bass River, or taking the crew on an adventure to Monomoy, Nantucket, Hyannis or somewhere in between. Bob loved the Patriots, Red Sox and all Boston sports as well reading - especially World War II and good spy novels. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones.
Due to the pandemic, the family has chosen not to have visiting hours and to have the Mass of the Resurrection at St. Paul’s Church, Wellesley followed by a private Interment at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline. The family plans to celebrate Bob’s life with a memorial during summer 2021 on Cape Cod.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name may be made to Newton Wellesley Hospital at nwh.org. or the Pine Street Inn, Inc. at pinestreetinn.org.