BARRETT, James Norman, Jr. Of Hunters Creek Village, Houston, TX formerly of Watertown, died January 8, 2021 at age 94.
Beloved husband of Eva Barrett. Devoted father of James N. Barrett III and his wife Claudia of NH and David Barrett and his wife Amy of ME. Grandfather of Nathaniel, Caroline, Danielle, Andrew, and Christopher. Brother of Richard Barrett of Needham and the late Muriel Strickland and Robert Barrett.
He was a graduate of Watertown High School, Holy Cross College, Boston University School of Law, and Harvard Business School.
World War II Veteran, U.S. Navy, USS Cambria (APA 36), Lt. USNR.
He was fluent in Spanish, an attorney and CPA, Jim was much in demand in international financial positions by General Tire, Ford, Standard Brands, Hooker Chemical, and Union Petroleum. All the while he was an astute independent investor.
Jim was an active practicing Catholic. From his parents he learned that to whom much is given of them much is expected. As a child during the terrible depression of the 1930’s with his chums they raised funds to buy fresh Thanksgiving turkeys and vegetables for needy families.
As an adult among his many philanthropies he and his wife Eva endowed a CHAIR IN CREATIVE WRITING at his Alma Mater Holy Cross in honor of his parents James N. and Sarah L O’Reilly Barrett (a teen author). He honored his mother’s parents by establishing the Patrick J. and Louise Whealen O’Reilly Merit Scholarship which awards a Full Scholarship to Holy Cross every two years to deserving students from Newfoundland, Canada.
Because of the pandemic the family Mass of the Resurrection at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Needham will be private as well as the interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham. If possible there will be a family celebration of Jim’s life next summer.