Barrett, Fred

Jeff Green | Jan 09, 2025

Nov. 29, 1947 – December 28, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Edmund Stewart Fredrick Barrett, known to all as Fred, on December 28, 2024, at the age of 77.

He was predeceased by his wife Nancy (Duggan) Barrett, his parents Mary and Richard Barrett, and his brother Richard (Rick) Barrett. Fred is survived by stepdaughters, Taunia McIsaac (Denny) and Melanie Maxted-Graham (Kevin), his beloved grandchildren, Brodie, Ryley, Brennan, and Molly, his sister Maureen Barrett-Cross (Lysle), sister-in-law Noreen Barrett, and niece Kathryn, as well as many extended family members and countless friends whose lives he touched.

Fred grew up in Montreal and later settled in Ottawa where he obtained his Engineering Degree from Carleton University and continued there with a career in engineering for over 25 years before officially retiring in 2009. Although, he still went back to help out on various projects for years after.
Fred was a man who lived life with passion and joy. A lover of the skies, he was as comfortable soaring in a plane as he was leaping from one and loved to share his passion for skydiving with others. His love of the cosmos led him to spend countless nights gazing through a telescope. So much so that he built an observatory to follow the night skies, always seeking to understand more about the universe that fascinated him and later sharing his knowledge through his column in the Frontenac News “Up in the night sky”.

Fred’s passion for Land Rovers was another defining part of his life. As a dedicated member of the Ottawa Valley Land Rover Club (OVLR) and attending countless events over the years, he formed lasting friendships and made memories that would stay with him always.
His love for the outdoors was evident throughout his life and in 1998, alongside his late wife, Nancy, purchased a small home in Maberly just outside Perth, ON, where they embraced the beauty of nature and became part of a tight-knit and welcoming community. There, Fred was involved in various events including becoming an active member of the Maberly agricultural society, always eager to be involved and contribute.

Later, Fred's creative spirit shone through with his participation in the local theater and community choir. He performed in a variety of concerts and plays over the years, with his last theater performance, with the Perth Community Choir, being “A Christmas Carol” in November.
Fred’s warmth, sense of adventure, and commitment to his community and family will be remembered by all who knew him. A celebration of life will be held to honor Fred on January 15th, 2025 from 1:00-4:30 P.M. at the Blair & Sons Funeral Home, 15 Gore St. W, Perth, ON. In memory of Fred, donations to the Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation (Perth), your local SPCA, or a charity dear to your heart would be appreciated
Fred will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends, and his memory will live on in the laughter, stories, and love he shared with all who knew him.