Joseph Gerard Barrett

Joseph Gerard Barrett, 77, of Clarks Summit, died April 30, 2025 at home. His wife is the former Theresa Anne Jimcosky. They would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this August.

Born November 6, 1947 in Scranton, he was the son of the late John J. and Dolores Fawcett Barrett. The eldest of seven children, he attended Holy Rosary Elementary & High School, Class of 1965; Keystone Junior College, Penn State Worthington, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Scranton in 1977.

Joseph began working in his father’s business, Barrett’s Tire Sales and Mobilgas Station, West Market St, at the age of 6 and continued through high school. He was a dedicated Altar Server for 12 years at his home parish of Holy Rosary Church in North Scranton, encouraging his daughters to follow in his footsteps.

Joseph enlisted as a Reserve of the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and was Honorably Discharged after a catastrophic car accident. He was called up a second time by the U.S.A.F. in 1970 and was again Honorably Discharged the same year.

Joseph traveled the country as an advertising salesman with Rostell Advertising Co., Scranton; worked as a switchman for Union Pacific Railroad in California; was a licensed field underwriter for Mutual of New York, Scranton; worked as an archivist at the Scranton Times in the ‘crypt’; and was employed as a Reporter & West End Bureau Chief at the Pocono Record, Stroudsburg. He was elected Democratic District Committeeman of the 1st Ward, 2nd District, City of Scranton in 1976. He was also a Licensed Real Estate Agent with Dick O’Dea Real Estate, Clarks Summit. Joseph’s favorite job, however, was “Mr. Mom.”

Joseph was a member of the San Andreas Society, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #68, Scranton Canoe Club and VFW Post 7069, Clarks Summit.

Joseph had an undying love for all things Lake Winola where he spent the summer respites of his youth surrounded by extended family. His tales included exploring the now-sealed caves, searching for arrowheads, and waterskiing behind a wooden Century inboard with bare feet. In his later years, he could be seen during many a snowstorm plowing neighbors’ driveways in his white International Scout while his girls took turns riding shotgun. He never tired of telling all who would listen about his family, proudly pulling multiple photos of his wife and children out of his black leather bi-fold wallet (while in the same breath admonishing “don’t get married, don’t have kids”).

Also surviving are his daughters, Erin DeCicco & husband Anthony, Clarks Summit; Dr. Shana Zeitlin & husband Atty. Brett, Media; grandchildren Cora & Patrick DeCicco and Troy & Wesley Zeitlin; brother Michael and wife Lisa, Scranton; sisters Mary Kay Krupskas and husband John, Dickson City; Carol Ann Stezar, Etters; and Sharon Kirby, Denver, CO; nieces, nephews, great-nieces & great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, John J. Barrett Jr. and Kevin P. Barrett; uncles Msgr. Francis G. Barrett and Fr. Joseph G. Barrett, his namesake; and infant grandson, Anthony Barrett DeCicco.

The funeral will be Thursday, May 8th with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30am by Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn, Pastor Emeritus  Our Lady of Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit; Interment to follow at Cathedral Cemetery, 1708 Oram St., Scranton.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 9am to 10am at Jennings-Calvey Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 111 Colburn Ave, Clarks Summit.