Sunday, 24 November 2024    Tel: 978-458-8768
Andrew W. Barrett , Jr. Print E-mail

Andrew W. Barrett Jr.
3/16/59-10/20/21
Beloved son, brother, uncle and friend;



Andrew W. "Andy/Billy" Barrett, Jr., 63, a lifelong resident of Lowell, passed away at his home on Wednesday October 20, 2021.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 16, 1959, the son of Cecilia (Murphy) Barrett and the late Andrew W. Barrett, Sr., he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1976.

He went on to graduate from University of Lowell  with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management Information Systems. He was also an active member of the Omicron Pi Fraternity.

Andy spent his career at the Post Office and worked in a variety of roles and locations throughout Lowell, Woburn, and Chelmsford. He was well known and well loved by the customers on his postal routes, even up until his death. Andy was known to share his latest tomato crop with several houses on his route and took care to get to know the ins and outs of each neighborhood.

Off of the postal route trail, Andy was a fantastic cook, a skilled handyman and a jack of all trades, self taught and proficient in construction, plumbing, painting, photography and gardening.  He had a solid group of friends from adolescence to middle age that  regularly helped each other out on their individual home projects. These friends would habitually gather at Andy’s on Friday nights and for sports events. He purchased the family Victorian, customizing it piece by piece with his friends who were "paid by the case." The year they replaced the roofing tile will remain a local legend, in the days before safety harnesses and sobriety while shingling.

His favorite love for many years was his Harley and he traveled extensively to motorcycle rallies in Florida, South Dakota, New Hampshire etc. This passion nearly ended his life after an accident in 2009. Even so, he possessed a wry sense of humor and a keen intellect, he was well versed in current events and was a great storyteller. It was wonderful to hear his observations and reminiscences about early family life and relationships and personalities in Lowell. He had a sweet, insightful, humorous take on his memories. A life-long bachelor, Andy had significant loving partnerships, each one changing his life for the better. Of the many lives Andy changed, several called him “Uncle Andy” or “Dad’s friend Andy”. For the younger children, Andy would pick out Hess trucks, for the teens it was the red, green, and white envelopes filled with cash, and after that it was sage advice.

Andy's virtues and vices were never in doubt.  He was the type of person everyone needs at least once in life. Andrew was always the first to give you the shirt off his back, fix your leaking pipes, open the doors to his kitchen, and then grill you a steak. A host with the most and a backyard to entertain, Andy held festive family holiday celebrations, all three of his sisters’ bridal showers, his niece’s pre-wedding festivities, and countless birthdays. He wanted to be and always was the "Taker-Carer Man." In later years, he proved that as a dedicated caregiver to his mother, Cecilia, driving to appointments, daily morning check-ins, and repairing things that needed repair.

Besides his mother Cecilia, he is survived by his sisters Anne Barrett (Phill Robertson), Mary Barrett( the late Garn Turner),and Margaret Hall (Thomas Hall). One surviving brother Marty Barrett, nine nieces and nephews and a lifelong friend who was like a brother, Mark

Horne.

He was predeceased by his brother John Barrett and brother-in-law, Garnest Turner.

Friends may call at the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME 276 PAWTUCKET ST. in LOWELL

on Monday, October 25, 2021 from 4 to 7 P.M.Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated Tuesday October 26, 2021 at ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH in North Chelmsford at 9:00 AM. (Please meet at church). Andy's Committal Services will be held at a later date. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to Shatterproof. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O'Donnell, Jr. @978-458-8768.

Condolences (16)
  • 2021-10-26 20:06:33 | Bridget Sharkey  - Condolences
    I am so sorry to hear about Andy’s passing. I met Andy through work at the Woburn Post Office back in the late 80s. We became good friends and I will always remember his smile and sense of humor. He was such a great person and I am sorry that we lost touch, but I will treasure my memories with him. my heartfelt condolences to all of his family and friends. Rest in peace my friend. ❤️
  • 2021-10-26 11:25:39 | Deb Casey-Wood  - Andy AKA Billy
    I first met Andy as Billy way back around 1975. I was and continue to be friends with his sister Mary. I last saw Andy when I visited with Mary when we lost our loved and mutual friend Brenda in April of 2008. I was lucky enough to be shown his handiwork in the making when I was reinivited to the old Victorian that Andy was making new. I was very impressed by his handiwork and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to see Andy after many years away. I am deeply sorry for another loss to the Barrett family and am praying that family and friends are able to find comfort in the warm memories you hold and share. Many hugs to all.
  • 2021-10-26 07:15:14 | Kim Demers
    My condolences to the Barrett Family and to all who loved him. . I met Andy less then a year ago and was heartbroken to read of his passing. Didn’t matter what type of day I was having when he walked in, it Immediately brightened my day. May your hearts grow stronger and your sadness lessen with every wonderful story that is told about Andy.
  • 2021-10-26 07:55:15 | Celeste Pacht
    We're so sorry to hear of Andy's passing. My husband, Don, and I knew Andy from Saba's. What a great guy! Always a smile on his face and a story to tell. Our deepest sympathy to all his family at this most difficult time. May he rest in peace.
  • 2021-10-26 05:47:21 | Dianne Musik
    Sincere condolences to Andy's family and close friends. I worked with Andy for many years at the Postal Service. Our customers at the Woburn office loved him!
  • 2021-10-25 17:24:23 | Liz Scannell
    I’m so sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. He was such a good guy and a friend to me. He would stop in to say hi and ask if I had any repairs to be done. I would come home some days and find that he left me a bag of beautiful tomatoes from his garden. When I moved from Chelmsford last year he was a big help. He would call to see if I needed help with anything and would stop by to assist me in getting rid of unwanted items. He was always so cheerful and full of stories to tell. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
  • 2021-10-24 18:38:18 | Eddie Mack
    To the Barrett family, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Andy. We were classmates at Lowell High. After our school days, we ended up working together at the Woburn PO. I was also lucky enough to work with his dad at the Lowell PO. Rest In Peace Andy, you earned it.
  • 2021-10-24 18:23:22 | Reva Stein  - Sad for your loss, happy that you had him to love
    Dearest Anne, Phil, Martha, Tyler and your entire extended family. Thank you for sharing about your loving brother, uncle, son, friend. So much I did not know about him. It's so hard to lose a sibling, impossibly difficult to lose a son. I send you my love and wishes for the happy times and his memory to be a blessing. Love, Reva
  • 2021-10-24 17:06:58 | Maureen Dunlavey Miles  - Sadness
    I graduated high school with Andy; I remember him as a very kind person who was fun to be around. It's sad that this world has lost such a kindhearted and compassionate person, and at such a young age. Rest in peace, Andy.
  • 2021-10-24 15:18:49 | Peter Giroux  - Sympathies
    My sympathies on the passing of Andy. I have known the Barrett family since I met his sister Mary at the Morey School. I got to witness his devotion to his mother, Cecelia, when I moved next door to her several years ago. May happy memories comfort you.
  • 2021-10-24 05:58:42 | Eddie Mack  - Friend
    To the Barrett family, I was so sad to hear of the passing of Andy. We went to high school together and then met up working at the PO in Woburn. I had the pleasure of working with both Andy Sr and Jr. both were great guys. Rest In Peace Andy, you’ve earned it
  • 2021-10-23 15:59:09 | Tom Clegg  - Life LOng Friend
    I have had the pleasure of knowing Andy since we were 5 years old. From the old neighborhood, thru Omicron Pi Fraternity, and our adult lives he was a joy to be with, a true friend in every sense of the word. Andy impacted more lives than I could count, always in the most positive way. Though his passing has made all of us sad, his memory will forever bring us great joy.
  • 2021-10-23 14:26:01 | Dianna Wilson  - We’ll miss his smile
    My fondest memory of Andy, is him at one of the drive-by parties at Phill and Anne’s place, deep frying turkeys out in the cold underneath the back porch! He was enjoying his handiwork. And we sure enjoyed the food.. Gratitude for him, and his work. My condolences to Anne, Phill, Martha, Tyler, and Harry, and all your families.Think of all of you. Love, Dianna and Henry
  • 2021-10-23 08:12:45 | Mary Carney  - My condolences
    Thank you to all of Andy’s family for composing such a well-written and warm description of your brother’s life. I knew Andy through my dear friend and his sister, Anne. Reading his life story is a joy and conveys what a difference he made for so many. I have two memories of Andy: overseeing the deep fryer in Anne and Phil’s backyard one summer, or maybe it was deep frying a turkey for Thanksgiving? In any event, a high intensity, risky business that he was completely in control of and one I did not dare go near. At one of the wonderful December eve of the eve drive-bys, I introduced Andy to my children as Billy, which spurred a long conversation about how did I know that name?! At that point, I only knew him through Anne, who referred to him as Billy. I felt, and I think so did he, that I had stumbled upon a cherished and private piece of the family lore. Nonetheless, he was gracious and charming to us all. Although it was the only time my children met him, whether you’re using the name Billy or Andy, they remember that one encounter fondly and humorously. Sadly, this is not the first time your family has had to endure the loss of a sibling and your mother the loss of a child. I’m sure the pain is no less, maybe even more intense. I commend you all for having the heart to share Billy‘s life with the rest of us in this beautiful narrative. Thinking of you all. Mary Carney et al
  • 2021-10-22 16:56:38 | Mary Scanlon  - Billy
    Billy was my paperboy about 50 years ago. He was a lovely kid! My heart is saddened by his death, as he was one of the kindest people whom I’ve known in all those years. I have been very blessed to know him and his wonderful family. May he Rest In Peace! Billy, Celia, and the rest of the family are in my prayers. God bless! Mary Scanlon
  • 2021-10-22 16:45:15 | Eilish and Stephen whelan Str
    Anne we were so sorry to hear of your brothers passing, may he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you .
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