John Joseph Barrett

Barrett, John Joseph, was 80 years old and lived in White Bear Lake MN, passed away surrounded by family on August 10, 2024.
John is preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his parents Joseph Patrick and Anne (Vacura), and brother Thomas and sister Joan Greger.
He is survived by his children Daniel (Jessica) Barrett, Jennifer Fleming, and DeAnna Barrett; grandchildren Victoria Barrett, Sydney Barrett, Mason Barrett, Makenna Fleming, Aidan Beale, and Charles Hamer II; sister Marlene Barrett, nephew Patrick Barrett, and niece Lourie Elwell.
John was born in St. Paul MN on September 16, 1943, and grew up on West 7th Street in St. Paul. John attended St. Thomas College where he received his bachelor's degree of arts in 1965, and later continued his education on to earn his master's degree in 1977. John began his career working for the state as the business manager in the vocational rehabilitation department and the as the assistant director at the occupational training center in St. Paul. In 1976 he moved on to become the executive director of Rise Inc, a day training and rehabilitation center serving people with disabilities in finding employment and housing and helping them become contributing members of society as independently as possible. John assisted more than 15,000 Minnesotans obtain that role and created a nonprofit organization that had, at the time he retired, a $28 million operating budget. At the time John was hired, Rise Inc. provided services to 79 people. Under his leadership, the company had grown to having 18 different locations and provided services to over 3000 annually consisting of over 40 different programs that served not only people with disabilities, but also people with a variety of different challenges such as language and cultural barriers. That program in particular was recognized as one of 18 exemplary programs in the nation. In his free time John was an avid golfer, leading him to create a successful annual fundraiser for Rise Inc. He enjoyed annual trips with his lifelong group of friends, going to both Mexico and Canada for their routine fishing trip. He was a loving husband to Sandy and remained attentive at her side lovingly through her 15-month battle with lung cancer. He was a loving father to his three children, one of which he and Sandy began as foster parents to and went on to legally adopt at the age of 7. He was an involved grandfather to his grandchildren and played an active role helping as caretaker following his retirement. The outpouring of unconditional love John had for his children, grandchildren, family and friends will be forever missed and his legacy in the multiple different roles he played over his lifetime will never be forgotten.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on Thursday, August 29th, 2024 at 11:00 at Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 County Rd. E, White Bear Lake. Family will receive friends from 10 – 11 am.