Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Obituary
Guest Book
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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
John & Nancy Gill
April 27, 2005
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, John & Nancy Gill
Glendine Henry
April 25, 2005
Dear Matt:
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your dad. May God give you and your family strength and comfort during this time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Glendine & Keith Henry
Donald / Mary Burr
April 24, 2005
Our deepest sympathy to you Mrs Barrett and family.
Dr Barrett was by far like no other Doctor, he cared! Sorry to say NO one could ever begin fill his shoes.
I'm alive today as I'm sure many are today because he really cared!
Donald & Mary Burr
Anthony LaSaracina
April 24, 2005
A True Hero of mine, A man I looked to for guidance while growing up. From sleeping over his house after a head injury (he wanted to keep an eye on me) to telling me to slow my golf swing down. My fondest memories are having him eat breakfeast at our house. He would arrive at 5 or 6 in the morning and we would all wake up. He and Dad would talk while my Mom made breakfeast. Little did I know he had been up all night at the hospital and after breakfeast he was headed back.
The best story I remember about Dr. Barrett is this. I spent my entire waking hours thinking about playing basketball but my mother did not believe I went to Staton School every night to play, so being the Good Catholic she was she asked Dr Barrett to talk to me about premaritial sex.
Well he took me aside and explained in his special way all I needed to know. After He was done (I was holding a basketball in my hand at the time) he asked if I uderstood and I told him, "I think so but I have to go the lights at the court will be on soon" He smiled and said
"I'll tell your mother you got it."
Dr. Breett was at my Mom's bedside when she passed away. At the very second she left us he held my Sisters
and my hand and said "Spiritually Carolyn has just started her assent to Heaven." I will never Forget Dr. Barrett He is part of so many of us.
I Thank Mrs. Barrett for sharing him with us all these years. God Bless Her and all her Children
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
John and Mary (Cronin) Truman
April 24, 2005
Our deepest sympathy to the Barrett Family. We loved Dr. Barrett! He was our physician for many, many years. He was wonderful, kind, caring and the best diagnostician Norwich ever new!
Sincerely,
John and Mary Truman
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more