Arthur William Fordyce Barrett
May 9, 2019
Obituary
The family of Arthur William Fordyce Barrett was deeply sadden by his recent passing on May 9, 2019 at age 95. Predeceased by his wife Barbara Bettine (Micklethwaite), he leaves to mourn his daughter Helena (Kent) MacLean of Dartmouth, NS and son John (Faye) Barrett of Charlottetown, PEI; grandchildren Lisa (Ronan) O’Driscoll Dartmouth NS, Paul MacLean Moncton NB, Nancy (Jason) McKenna Summerside PEI and Connor (Tracey) Barrett Charlottetown PEI along with 9 great grandchildren. Arthur was predeceased by his parents John Archileus & Ena Constance Barrett and bother, Pilot Officer John Barrett. He is survived by brother David (Louise) Barrett Welland, Ontario and sister Rose (Charlie) Gillam, Mount Pearl Newfoundland. Arthur retired in 1983 following a 37 year career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; beginning as a broadcaster in 1946 and holding several senior management positions throughout the years, he retired as Regional Manager of Administrative Services for the Newfoundland and Labrador CBC Region. A veteran of World War II as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Bomber Command, he was a life member of the Bomber Command Association, the Air Force Association of Canada, the Royal Air Force Officer’s Club (London, UK), and has served on numerous Boards and service organizations including Rotary, Lions International, the Atlantic Symphony, the Dominion Drama Festival, the Yorkshire Air Museum, the Newfoundland & Labrador Drama Society and the National Multicultural Theatre Association. He will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him as a highly organized, humorous and extremely kind and giving individual. A celebration of his life will be held in the Chapel of Carnell’s Funeral home, St. John’s on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Arthur and Barbara’s ashes will be interned together at a later date in the Alne Church Yard, Yorkshire, England. Flowers are graciously declined and if so desired, donations may be made in Arthur’s memory to the S.P.C.A.
Arthur was one of the few Second World War veterans still with us until his passing. He was a living link to those turbulent times in the 1940s. He flew highly dangerous missions with Bomber Command at low levels over occupied Europe. A true warrior. Stand down Arthur, your duty is done. It was an honour to meet you.
Our condolences to Arthur’s family & friends. We will surely miss him at the Crow’s Nest.
It is with sadness that I read of Arthur’s death. He interviewed me for a job at CBC many years ago. I soon got to know him and Barbara as our paths crossed often due to my husband also working at CBC. We lived near one another and shared many cups of tea and home made scones! They are lovely memories and I send my sincere sympathy to the family as the grieving begins. May God be with you all .
Jennifer Whitfield
Hello to the family Arthur Barrett. My name is Ian Noseworthy. I am a recently retired Anglican Priest living in Toronto. My Parents were Gordon and Joan Noseworthy (Bartlett) who resided in Gander, NL.
Arthur was my Godfather, and I remember meeting him when I was a child. My mom, Joan used to tell me that he had to “convert” to Anglicanism in order to become my Godfather, Every year I received Christmas and Birthday cards from him. I remember that he attended my ordination at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s.
May he rest in peace.
I had the extreme pleasure of getting to know and become friends with both Barbara and Arthur through the citizenship program. My heart is with all of you. I am currently out of country otherwise I would have conveyed my condolences personally. Both of your parents meant a great deal to me. You are all in mine and my husband’s thoughts and prayers.
Sincere sympathy to the Barrett family. I have know art for a long time in Gander and St, John,s he was a fine person to know and will be missed by all who new him. A fine gentleman and a veteran from ww2. .
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Barrett, he was always a gentleman and a pleasure to talk to. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
God Bless
Lillian Bartlett
John and Helena,,
We are saddened to hear of the passing of your dad. Both your mom and dad were part of our lives for many years and we appreciated them both and have many fond and happy memories of them.
Frank and Linda Gough
On behalf of the Committee and Members of the Middleton St George Memorial Association we send our sincere condolences to John, Helena and all the family. Arthur joined us at Middleton St George, Darlington, UK as often as he was able for our annual re-union weekend in June in remembrance of RAF and RCAF personnel who served here in WWII and his presence lent real, tangible and heartfelt authenticity to the entire proceedings. His passing will be mourned by all who knew and respected him. We had the pleasure of his company and will always remember his charm, kindness and generosity of spirit. During his time with us he often reminisced about his time in North Yorkshire, about meeting his beloved wife Barbara and how he enjoyed visiting old friends and places they had known. Whilst it is not possible for us to be with the family today we look forward to the time when Arthur’s wishes are fulfilled at Alne, North Yorkshire. It is a village we know well, often visiting our own family who live there now and we will be comforted to be able to pay our respects at that time.
Until Then
Rest In Peace Dear Friend.
John and Pauline Hardy
John,
Sorry to learn of your fathers passing. He was a fine man and always a pleasure to be in his company. He will be missed but remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Deepest Sympathy
Bob MacLeod
To Arthur’s family,
I met Arthur numerous times at the Crow’s Nest, St. John’s. He was a wonderful gentle person who always had time for a handshake, smile, and chat on the topic of the day. I will miss Arthur and his warm greeting. He was a war hero and a person we all aspired to emulate. RIP Arthur – my thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
For a second you were flying
Like you always wanted to
Now you’ll fly forever
In skies of azure blue
We’ll see your smile in every ray
Of sunshine after rain
And hear the echo of your laughter
Over all the pain
The world’s a little quieter now
The colours have lost their hue
The birds are singing softly
And our hearts are missing you
Each time we see a little cloud
Or a rainbow soaring high
We’ll think of you and gently
Wipe a tear from our eye
For a second you were flying
Like you always wanted to
Now you’ll fly forever
In skies of azure blue
We’ll see your smile in every ray
Of sunshine after rain
And hear the echo of your laughter
Over all the pain
The world’s a little quieter now
The colours have lost their hue
The birds are singing softly
And our hearts are missing you
Each time we see a little cloud
Or a rainbow soaring high
We’ll think of you and gently
Wipe a tear from our eye
Happy landings Arthur – From Lisa Piercey and Gareth Cook.
Poem by: Victoria Bruce