JOHN BARNETT

1929 - 2021

BARNETT John D. E. Barnett Previously of Washington, DC and recently a resident of Madison, CT, died on Sunday, October 31, 2021. John was born on October 12, 1929, a son of Paul E. and Elizabeth D. R. Barnett. He was raised in Scarsdale, NY and was a 1947 graduate of Scarsdale High School. He completed a B.A. in Radio Broadcasting in 1951 at Emerson College. John was a Korean War era veteran of the U. S. Air Force achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He was stationed in Germany from early 1952 to late 1955. He held many interesting jobs including page at Rockefeller Center in New York City and salesman for IBM. While working for Railway Express, he was assigned to the William Miller vice presidential campaign to provide shipping services from each campaign stop. After a successful 25-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, in Washington, DC, he retired in 1989, After retirement, he moved to Crystal River and then Hollywood, FL. He had a passion for volunteering. At Rails to Trails, he combined his love of the outdoors and trains while converting abandoned rail lines to recreational trails. After returning to Washington, his volunteer activities included the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, where he took great pride in maintaining the 1926 steam locomotive also known as the 1401. He spent more than 4,000 hours at the George Washington University Medical Center supporting the staff and patients in the Emergency Service department until the age of 90. He alsoclocked countless hours maintaining the C&O Canal Towpath. The hospital and the museum both formally recognized him for his dedication to their institutions. John was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown. His lifelong passion of railroading began as a child by putting pennies on the New York Central tracks for steam engines to flatten. His love of trains continued through his final days when he could hear and see the trains going by at the Madison train station. He enjoyed keeping in touch with friends from high school and college, and everywhere he lived. His family in Connecticut enjoyed his visits, especially at Thanksgiving, which would include a clam roll at a local restaurant, a Thanksgiving Day meal with plenty of desserts, and a picnic lunch with lots of leftovers for his train ride back home to Washington. He will be remembered by his brother, Tom (Sue) Barnett of Haddam, CT, and his nephews, Jim (Jane) Barnett of Clinton, CT, and Peter (Paula) Barnett of Higganum, CT along with his grand nieces and nephews, Lauren, Stephen, Erin, Matthew, and Megan. The Swan Funeral Home of Clinton, CT, is handling Funeral arrangements. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at the convenience of the family. In memory of John Barnett, donations can be sent to the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, 2600 Virginia Ave. NW #300, Washington, DC 20037. the outdoors and trains while converting abandoned rail lines to recreational trails. After returning to Washington, his volunteer activities included the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, where he took great pride in maintaining the 1926 steam locomotive also known as the 1401. He spent more than 4,000 hours at the George Washington University Medical Center supporting the staff and patients in the Emergency Service department until the age of 90. He alsoclocked countless hours maintaining the C&O Canal Towpath. The hospital and the museum both formally recognized him for his dedication to their institutions. John was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown. His lifelong passion of railroading began as a child by putting pennies on the New York Central tracks for steam engines to flatten. His love of trains continued through his final days when he could hear and see the trains going by at the Madison train station. He enjoyed keeping in touch with friends from high school and college, and everywhere he lived. His family in Connecticut enjoyed his visits, especially at Thanksgiving, which would include a clam roll at a local restaurant, a Thanksgiving Day meal with plenty of desserts, and a picnic lunch with lots of leftovers for his train ride back home to Washington. He will be remembered by his brother, Tom (Sue) Barnett of Haddam, CT, and his nephews, Jim (Jane) Barnett of Clinton, CT, and Peter (Paula) Barnett of Higganum, CT along with his grand nieces and nephews, Lauren, Stephen, Erin, Matthew, and Megan. The Swan Funeral Home of Clinton, CT, is handling Funeral arrangements. Burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at the convenience of the family. In memory of John Barnett, donations can be sent to the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, 2600 Virginia Ave. NW #300, Washington, DC 20037.