Jack Ralph Barrett, retired engineer
Jack Ralph Barrett, 97, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, May 7, 2017. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 28, 1919, Jack was the son of Harvey Earl Barrett and Ellen Sophia (Johnson) Barrett.
Jack attended undergraduate classes in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park and graduated in 1942. Later he attained a degree in electrical engineering at Johns Hopkins McCoy College. Jack was also a graduate of the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was employed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 42 years where he rose through the ranks from field engineer to general manager of the Combustion Turbine Service Division.
He married the love of his life, Dorothy R. Kidd, July 25, 1942, in Baltimore, Md. Together they raised their two daughters, Nancy and Mary, and lived in Catonsville, Md., Belmont, Calif., and Media, Pa. After retirement in 1983, Jack lived part time in Media and Bethany Beach, where he permanently moved in 1995.
Jack was an active member of Saint Ann's Catholic Church in Bethany Beach, where he served as an usher, and he volunteered with Meals On Wheels. He was a former parishioner of Saint Mary Magdalen's Catholic Church in Media. His interests included golf, tennis, boating, woodworking and spending time with his family. One of the highlights of his life was becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is predeceased by his parents and brother, William. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 74 years; daughter, Nancy Raskauskas of Bethany Beach, and her children, Elizabeth Miller, Mary Gallagher and Stephen Raskauskas; daughter Mary Barrett Crigger of Charleston, W.Va., and her children, Major David Crigger, Chad Crigger, M.D., and Emily Edens. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, MJ Miller, Declan Gallagher, Keira Gallagher and Katherine Crigger. Additionally, he is survived by three brothers, Donald Barrett, Richard Barrett and Thomas Barrett.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 21, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View, where a visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until noon with a Memorial Service immediately following with Father Ralph Castelow officiating. If you wish to make a memorial donation, please direct it to Compassionate Care Hospice, 20165 Office Circle, Suite 2, Georgetown, DE 19947, or the Alzheimer's Association Sussex County Branch, P.O. Box 625, Georgetown, DE 19947.
The Barrett family would like to thank those who assisted in the comfort and care of Jack during his final days: the caregivers from Griswold Home Care, the nurses and social workers of Compassionate Care Hospice, Lawrence Kemp M.D., and Pastor Paul F. Jennings of St. Luke Catholic Parish of Ocean City, Md.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
