Raymond Olmstead Barrett

Raymond Olmstead Barrett, age 62 passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020 with his loving family by his side, after fighting a long and courageous battle with lymphoma. Ray was born in Bridgeport, CT on September 15, 1957 to Lindsley and Mariann Tucciarone Barrett. He attended St. James Catholic School and Stratford public schools. Ray had many wonderful memories of his childhood and growing up with ‘the Dewey Street gang’.

Ray served in the U.S. Army from 1974-1977, and following in his father’s footsteps became an Airborne Ranger, which he loved. While in the Army, Ray obtained his high school diploma, and after his discharge, attended Porter and Chester Institute for Mechanical and Electrical Drafting and Design, graduating in 1985.

Ray was not an ‘office guy’, and worked for many years as a Greyhound Trainer, both in Bridgeport, CT and Jacksonville, FL. He then went on to construction work, as a heavy equipment operator building a nuclear reactor at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, GA where he made many lasting friendships. It was here that he met his ‘brother from another mother’ and best friend, James Holt and wife Beth.

From 1998 to 2019 Ray worked for several Utility contractors, including Coastline Underground Utility Contractors and up until his passing with Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. Ray loved his work as a Pipe Foreman, and enjoyed teaching the men on his crew the skills he excelled at. He took great pride in his work.

Ray was predeceased by his parents, Lindsley and Mariann and by half-sister Marie Banker of Nashua, NH. Ray was a loving husband to his wife Patti, and brother to Anna Barrett McGuirk of Quaker Hill, CT (Peter), Lindsley ‘Henry’ Barrett of Shelton, CT (Julie, Jeremy, William and Lindsley), and Jennette Barrett Raymond Holmes of Collins, GA (Jimmy Williams, Russell and granddaughter, Katie), half-brother to Michael Murphy of Seattle, WA, George Nesci of Vero Beach, FL and Joanne Leaf of Clinton, CT and their families, and brother-in-law to Pam and Armando Pantalone of Cape Coral, FL (Patrick, Jessica and Marc), Fred Steidinger of Chatsworth, CA (Amanda, Fred and Max), and Doug Steidinger and wife Sheila of Lawrenceville, GA. He also leaves behind his best friend and canine partner-in-crime, Finn.

Ray was a wonderful father, stepfather and papa. He leaves to cherish his memory Jason Barrett of Ansonia, CT (Melissa, Ian and Kayden), Nicole Ryder of Jacksonville, FL (Jason and Zoey), Christine Franklin of Jacksonville, FL (Veronica and Jason), George Jacobs of Jacksonville, FL (Nikki, George, Kennadi and Phoenix), Kyle Barrett of Stratford, CT (Marci and Jaxson), JoyAnn Jacobs of Jacksonville, FL (Sean, Kaymon and Alexia), Raymond James ‘R-j’ Barrett of Jacksonville, FL (Tiffany, Bella, Bentley, Emmett and Raymond James, Jr.), and Heather Martin of Jacksonville, FL. Ray is also survived by ex-wife Mandy Barrett of Jacksonville, FL who he raised his family with, and her parents, Walter and Jean Motorny of Shelton, CT, along with many beloved cousins and extended family members.

Ray was a friend to all who met him and leaves many treasured friends to remember him.

Special thanks to Ray’s doctor, Bijoy Telivala, Kim, and the staff at Cancer Specialists of North Florida as well as the many nurses who cared for him throughout his illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year in CT. There will be no service in Jacksonville.

Until we meet again, toots ~