Peter Anthony Barnett

Peter Anthony Barnett (Pete) wore many hats; literally and figuratively. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, godfather, brother, engineer, career military officer, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Knight, and a member and sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Pete had an enormous hat collection and rarely left the house without a giant hotdog or an elephant on his head, but his biggest role was playing Santa. He had a busy holiday season playing Santa, and looked so much like Santa that people stopped him year round everywhere he went to have their photo taken with him. He kept candy canes in his pockets at all times and handed them out everywhere he went.
Peter Anthony Barnett was born on October 8, 1940 in Wheeling, WV, the fourth of 11 children born to Charles and Margaret Barnett.

Pete grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Pete was raised Catholic, and his family’s life centered around the Sioux Falls Cathedral where Pete and his family attended Mass and participated in various forms of service. Pete graduated from Cathedral HS and planned to attend the State University in South Dakota but he spent all his money in the pool hall the summer after graduation, so he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Pete’s commanding officer took note of Pete’s intelligence and strong math skills and encouraged him to sit multiple exams in order to apply to the U.S. Naval Academy, which Pete passed with flying colors. Pete was admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in the class of 1966.

Pete met Donna-Rae while he was stationed in Long Beach, California when they were both young singles living in the same apartment complex. Pete and his fellow handsome Navy cohorts would host barbecues by the pool in order to entice Donna and the other beautiful nurses she lived with to socialize. Pete and Donna fell in love, and he proposed to her when he got his orders for Vietnam. Pete and Donna were married on April 18,1970 in a little Catholic chapel in Rhode Island. They moved to Monterey, California where Pete attended post graduate school. Pete and Donna raised three children together, and would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this April.

Pete had a long and prestigious career in the U.S Navy where he rose through the ranks, ultimately attaining the rank of Commander. During Pete’s career in the Navy, he served multiple deployments including the USS Larsen,
USS Hornet, USS Brownson and most notably the USS New Orleans, an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, which was the primary recovery vessel for the Skylab II mission, successfully recovering the vessel and crew after its orbit in space.

While Pete was in the Navy reserves, he worked as an engineer for Miller Brewing Company in Forth Worth, Texas, before being called back to active duty and being stationed with the Department of Defense on the Rota, Spain Naval base. After being stationed in Spain for nearly three years, he was transferred back to the United States where he was assigned to the Pentagon. After retiring from the Navy in 1987, Pete became a “Beltway Bandit” serving as a contractor for multiple military-based consulting firms.

Pete suffered from alcohol addiction which was an obstacle in his life until he underwent a treatment program under the care of Father Martin at Ashley House in Havre De Grace, Maryland. Pete credited this program and his sobriety for saving his life, and he remained an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, sponsoring many other people in their recovery. Pete remained a loved and respected member of the A.A. community until the time of his death, helping others while he maintained his own sobriety for 40 years.

Later in life, Pete was able to connect with a daughter from a previous time in his life, and was able to get to know her and her family.

Pete loved life. He loved growing up in a big family and the Barnett family reunions where all the brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and grandkids gathered were some of his most cherished experiences. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and always had a mischievous sparkle in his eye. He was a generous host, loved to entertain, and enjoyed being the life of the party. Like most Barnetts, Pete was full of music, and loved to sing. He had a big, booming voice that filled Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fairfax, Virginia, where he was a lector, cantor, and Eucharistic minister.

Pete and Donna sold their home in Annandale, Virginia and relocated to a retirement community in Solana Beach, California in 2023 to enjoy the southern California weather and be nearer to family.

Pete is survived by his wife (Donna-Rae); his children and their spouses (Jennifer and James, Michael and Kristina, Brooke and Kevin, and Tammy); his grandchildren (James Wilson, Luna, Kai, Jenna (Brendon) Kelly (Brandon); and great grandchildren (Kennedy, Baker, Bennett); and three of his remaining siblings (Katie, Tim, and Denny).

A Funeral Mass will be held on April 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St James Catholic Church 625 S Nardo Ave. Reception to follow: La Vida Del Mar 850 Del Mar Downs Rd. Solana Beach, CA 92075.