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Peter Barrett Obituary

Barrett, Peter Francis Sgt USAF Korean Crisis, age 81, loving and devoted father of Peter D. (Sheila), James S., Mary Ellen (Gary) Rimm, Roseanne (William) Weismann and John P. (Barbara); dearest friend of former spouse Barbara J. Barrett; proud "Papa Pete" of Jim, Katie, Emily, Olivia, Tom, Melanie, Sean, Molly, Angela and Jason; dear brother of Mary Jane (the late Roger) Butler; cherished son of the late Peter S. and the late Mary, nee Deehan; fond uncle of Jerry (Laura) Butler, Tom (Tara) Butler, Patty (Dennis) Shearn, Marianne (Grant) Daniels, Steve (Jen) Butler and great-uncle of many nieces and nephews. Retired VP of the Fireman and Oilers Union, 29 year employee of the Chicago Board of Education, Engineering Department, 25 year member of the Cushman Motor Scooter Club of America, Member of the Lincoln Continental Owner's Club, Avid collector of vintage 4-string banjos from the Roaring 20's and Dixieland music's greatest fan for over 30 years. Peter was a member of the last class of Flying Cadets at Randolph Field, TX, 1951. As a 21 year old USAF Hydraulics Specialist, he was awakened in the middle of the night with a distress call from a C-124 Globemaster heavy-lift cargo plane with disabled landing gear. He proceeded to talk the plane down, via radio, (in a true "MacGyver-like" style) instructing the crew on how to manually release the wheels, saving the 3 enlisted men and 2 officers on board. His account of the incident was video-recorded last year and is housed at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., as part of the Veterans History Project. Visitation Thursday, 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (1/2 mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 29, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Barrett

Not sure what to say?





Mary Ellen

August 23, 2024

Hi Dad,

It's been 12 years, and I miss you every day. I know you're watching over us all, and guiding us as you always did. Much love to you, Dad, but you already know that

Mary E Barrett

February 23, 2024

Thinking of you today, Dad. Miss you every day. Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen Barrett

August 23, 2023

I miss you every day, Dad

July 7, 2017

I'm trying to find Mary Keehn Zachary. We worked together at Reserve Insurance in 1969-70. Ask her to please call me. Mary Jo Shotwell Cunningham, 760/741-9541. Look forward to hearing from her, I miss our friendship! Please call me Mary!

August 24, 2013

It has been a year since you passed, Dad. I miss you so much, but know you are at peace. I also know that in my heart, you are always near. Thanks for the pennies I've been finding, including the shiny 1p I just found right in front me yesterday in Ireland. I know - and hello!!! Miss you forever!

Pete and Johnny B having a laugh

Mary Barrett Rimm

September 15, 2012

Dad at the 2011 Midwest Banjo Jamboree with Bill M.

Mary Barrett Rimm

September 3, 2012

Thanks, friends and family, for your kind words. My Dad would so appreciate them,as do we. We lost a loving and kind Dad, a good friend, a master tinkerer, and a terrible joke teller. I know he is happily reunited with his beloved mother, Mary, and father, Peter. And in Heaven, I know who will be organizing the biggest banjo jamboree ever!

Kathleen Leonard

August 31, 2012

With deep sympathy we send your family this note of our regrets. Chuck and Kathleen Leonard (nee Keehn) daughter of Catherine Barrett and loving cousin of Peter. God bless.

Mary Zoch

August 30, 2012

Dear Cousin Peter,

I will miss you at the Barrett Family gatherings. May you rest in peace and give a big hug to Aunt Mary and Uncle Pete
when you see them in heaven.

Your loving cousin Mary Keehn Zoch

Venis Jones

August 30, 2012

May the God of comfort give you peace during your time of grief.

Cindy Ungerman

August 30, 2012

I'd like to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family.

Johnny Baier

August 30, 2012

Pete - Thanks for the tracking me down at the Red Garter in Chicago in 1974 - and your treasured friendship ever since...you were a once-of-a-kind friend.

Dave Marty

August 30, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

August 30, 2012

Dear Barrett Family,
Although we are far away in Greece we want to extend our deepest sympathy on the loss of Peter. He was a wonderful man and we will miss him. God rest his soul and grant you all peace.
Love,
Dino and Frederica Bounatsos

The Samudovsky Family

August 29, 2012

Our heart felt sympathy and thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.

Jimmy Barrett

August 29, 2012

A great man who set me on the right path

Eugene DaLuga

August 29, 2012

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Pete was a wonderful person. We will miss him.

August 29, 2012

Thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Pete was a great friend.
Eugene J. DaLuga

August 29, 2012

Our deepest sympathy for your loss.

Lisa, Gwen and Katie Ashworth

Maureen O'Brien

August 29, 2012

Rose, Bill & Family- Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

August 29, 2012

Our deepest sympathies and condolences to your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Barrett-Robinson family, Beckenham, Kent, UK

August 29, 2012

To the family of Peter Barett may God give you comfort and peace by means of prayer - Philipians 4:6,7. My deepest sympathy

August 29, 2012

Mary and family what a beautiful tribute to your Dad in his obituary. May you find peace in all of your great memories and the many lives your Dad touched. Keeping you in our prayers, the Slavicek Family

August 29, 2012

Our Deepest Sympathy with Love
Evans Bartzis
Sandie Kanavos

Dorothy Rimm

August 29, 2012

I'll miss you Papa Pete. It was a priviledge to know you. You are loved.

Lori Slavin

August 29, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.

The Gibbons Family

August 29, 2012

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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