Dr. Frederick C. Barrett

BARRETT, Dr. Frederick C. Dr. Frederick C. Barrett, a local physician, husband of 60 years and father of 16 children, died Saturday, (April 23, 2005) at the W.W. Backus Hospital. He was 83. Dr. Barrett, who resided at Cross Roads Place, Waterford, was a long-time resident of Norwich. He was born in Milton, VT on July 24, 1921, the son of the late Lawrence and Irene (Hammel) Barrett. Dr. Barrett graduated from Milton High School, St. Michael's College, and University of Vermont College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Cambridge City Hospital in Cambridge, MA, and served six years of active duty in the United States Army, from 1943-1949, as a physician practicing anesthesia, dermatology, and internal and general medicine. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He began his family practice in Jewett City in 1949 and relocated to Norwich in 1959. During his years as a family doctor he delivered more than 2,000 babies. In 1984, he was named Family Doctor of the Year by the Academy of Family Physicians. The Academy praised him as a "…family man who practices medicine with quality and dignity." In 1998, he was named by the Academy as a "Super Hero of Family Medicine." He retired from family practice in 1989. A partial list of his accomplishments and community affiliations include: Connecticut Family Doctor of the Year (1984); President of Alumni Association, University of Vermont College of Medicine (1985); A Bradley Soule Award, University of Vermont (2001); Past President of the W.W. Backus Hospital medical staff (1969); member of the Backus Executive Committee and various other committees; Director of Health, School Physician and Medical Examiner for Jewett City, Griswold, and Voluntown (1949-1965); responsible for drinking water fluoridation (late 1950's); in partnership with P.J. Costa, M.D. and the late Eugene Lescoe built Summit Convalescent Home in Jewett City; Past President of the Connecticut Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors; a member for three terms of the New London County Medical Association and served as its president from 1980-81; School Physician for Norwich Regional Technical School; Commissioner on the Norwich Board of Public Utilities for 30 years and its chairman for ten years; Connecticut Municipal Electrical Energy Cooperative member; appointed by three different Connecticut governors to task forces; a long-standing parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Patrick; Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree; named Father of the Year by the Boy Scouts of America, Norwich Chapter. He was a founding member of the Land Trust Corporation, which established Pautipaug Country Club in Sprague. Dr. Barrett was a member and past president of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Dr. Barrett is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Brigham) Barrett; and 13 children: Barbara Bloom of Shelburne, VT, L. William of Norwich, R. Michael of Wichita, KS, Frederick C. Jr. of New London, Kathleen Wehmeyer of Midland, TX, Lois Huntington of Cairo, Egypt, Stephen of Lisbon, Thomas of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Christopher of Norwich, Matthew of New London, Elizabeth Brachitta of South Burlington, VT, Theresa Levy of Wellesley, MA, Jane Peterson of Boise, ID; and 19 grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Edward of Queensbury, NY; and a sister, Phyllis Thompson of Milton, VT. He was predeceased by three children: Edmund, Anne, and Timothy; and one brother, Lawrence of Milton, VT. Funeral services will assemble Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Cummings - Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff Street, Norwich and proceed to a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Norwich. Calling hours will be TODAY at the funeral home from 1-2:30 and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joslin Clinic for Diabetes, Joslin Place, Boston, MA and The Edmundite Community at Enders Island, Mystic, CT.