James “Jim” P. Barrett, Ret. Captain, Westford Fire Department, age 61, a longtime resident of Westford, passed away unexpectedly at Lowell General Hospital on Sunday, February 6, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Eileen (Chaffee) Barrett with whom he enjoyed 29 years of marriage.
He was born in Malden on February 2, 1961 and was the son of the late Richard and Marjorie (Center) Barrett.
Jim was a graduate of Westford Academy, Class of 1979; he received his bachelor’s degree from University of Lowell in 1983 and his master’s degree from Anna Maria College in 2010.
Jim served 38 years as a firefighter/EMT for the Westford Fire Department, rising to the rank of captain and retiring in 2020. He always went above and beyond by obtaining many certifications, mentoring young new members, as well as writing a number of grants that benefited the department and the town. Jim was instrumental in elevating the town’s basic life support system to an advanced life support system at the paramedic level. During his career, the number of people’s lives Jim touched is endless. He was there to comfort, treat, advise and mentor. His dedication to the fire service was seen in him every day – he loved his job!
Jim enjoyed gatherings with friends and family, but especially loved the many, many cookouts by the pool at home. Jim was always seen with a smile, standing at the grill, with music playing, and talking with everyone. He was also seen working around the yard and had a smile and wave for anyone who went by. He will be remembered for his love of family and friends, and for the many stories he told that always seemed to end with a life lesson.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, James, Jr., Jennifer, and Julia; his siblings, Richard (Chip) Barrett, Jr., his wife Vanessa and their daughter Alana, Mary Lou Lynam, her husband Thomas and their son, Michael, and Brian T. Barrett and his wife Maria; his sister-in-law Kathleen Briley, her husband Ron and their children, Shane, Meghan and Ross; his in-laws, Alan and Judith Chaffee; as well as his many beloved cousins. He will also be greatly missed by his dear, life-long friend Bernard Peloquin and his wife Judith.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 3pm to 7pm at the Blessed Trinity Parish – St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 N. Main St., WESTFORD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Blessed Trinity Parish – St. Catherine of Alexandria on Saturday at 9 am. Kindly meet at church. Masks are required. Interment will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery, WESTFORD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Westford Ambulance Fund, PO Box 197, Westford, MA 01886 and the Alzheimer’s Association Research Fund, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
Published by Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home on Feb. 11, 2022.
