Benedict James Barrett passed away February 26, 2010, at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Cohasset. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Frances, and his six children: Stephen Barrett; Robert Barrett; Joanne Barrett; Nancy Barrett; Paul Barrett; and Jeffrey Barrett; and his 11 grandchildren. Ben was born in 1918 in Berlin, NH. After High School, he worked in the White Mountains Civilian Conservation Corps. He enlisted in the US Army in 1939 and served as Staff Sergeant at Coastal Artillery base in Portsmouth, NH. During WWII, he volunteered as a paratrooper and joined the renowned 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, one of the countrys first elite combat units. Ben fought in Italy, France and during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, where he earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He attended Boston University. He married Mary Frances Lawlor, and raised six children in Saugus, MA. For 30 years, Ben managed his own laundry business in Cambridge, MA. After he retired, he continued to work in Saugus, and was a popular figure around Saugus Center, until he moved to Cohasset in 2004. More recently, Ben became an active member of the 517th PRCT veterans group. In 1999, he started a web site (517prct.org) to collect and maintain the history of the 517th, and also sent out a daily Mail Call newsletter for the 517th veterans and friends around the world. In 2009, Ben traveled back to Europe with the 517th PRCT to visit battle sites and to celebrate the WWII liberation of France and Belgium. Ben and the other veterans were awarded the distinction of Chevalier (Knight) in the National Order of the Legion of Honour by the French Government. A celebration of Bens life will occur in Arlington, Virginia, and interment at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bens memory to the 517th PRCT Association, c/o Leo Dean at 14 Stonehenge Lane, Albany 12203. For an online guestbook, visit mcnamara-sparrell.com


Published in The Patriot Ledger on 2/27/2010