John Joseph Barrett

John Joseph Barrett (“Jack”), 83, died November 15, 2019 from complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. Jack was born October 5, 1936 in Derby, Connecticut and raised in Manchester, Connecticut. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1954. Following graduation, he joined the Connecticut National Guard where he served until 1965 achieving the rank of Captain. That same year, he began his career in the elevator industry as a certified mechanic, one of the youngest to reach that level. He spent many years with Westinghouse before starting his own successful business “Elevator One.” He was a proud lifelong member of the International Elevators Constructor Union, Local 91. As an elevator mechanic, he enjoyed working in different cities including Detroit, Toronto, Shreveport, Philadelphia, New York and Chicago to name a few. While in Chicago, he helped construct the Sears Tower which, upon completion, was the tallest building in the world. He married his bride Sheila Sullivan in August, 1958. They were married 61 years at the time of his passing. They enjoyed travelling together including several road trips across the country and trips to Ireland. After over 40 years in the elevator industry, Jack retired to Charlestown, Rhode Island. He bought a small boat and enjoyed puttering around the area, greeting old friends and making new ones. In 1999, Jack and Sheila moved to San Diego to be closer to their daughter, Mary-Ellen. Jack became a dedicated member of the Seven Oaks Woodcrafters Club. He also used his talents as a ham radio operator to help with the Rancho Bernardo Emergency Radio Service. Jack also loved his garden and often brought his excess produce to friends. He especially enjoyed growing citrus fruit and, in the winter, relished telling his New England family and friends about the success of his trees. When his grandson Wyatt was born, Jack was overjoyed. The two spent many hours together in the garden and were constantly laughing and joking around. He is predeceased by his parents F. Leo Barrett and Eileen Bourque Barrett and his beloved aunts Mary Bourque and Dorothy Bourque Bagley. His beautiful wife Sheila died several months after him. He is survived by his daughter Mary-Ellen Barrett Evans (Colin), his grandson Wyatt Evans, his sisters Eileen “Sweetie” Hawley and Deborah Salewski (Fran), many nieces and nephews, and his beloved cousins. There will be a memorial service on for Sheila and Jack on July 8th, 2022, at noon at Molloy Funeral Home 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119. Visitation hours will be from 11-12 on the same date. Realizing that COVID is still with us, the family is happy to receive condolences at connecticutmeb@gmail.com. Molloy Funeral Home has charge of arrangements