Thomas Barrett

Thomas K. Barrett

1956 – 2016

Thomas K. Barrett, 59, of St. Johnsbury died at home peacefully Friday evening, July 8, 2016.

He was born November 27, 1956 in St. Johnsbury, the son of Herbert and Martha (Morrison) Barrett. Tom graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1976 and Vermont Technical College in 1978 with an Associate’s Degree in Ag Business. On November 11, 1978 he married Patricia “Patti” Gaskin.

Tom worked his way through his school years doing odd jobs, dairy farming and worked at Desrochers Pharmacy in St. Johnsbury. After graduating from college he worked for Kilfasset Farms Dairy as a milk truck driver/supervisor delivering milk throughout the area. He then became a career firefighter in St. Johnsbury and worked part time for the E.T. & H.K. Ide Co in St. Johnsbury. In 1988 Tom was promoted to store manager at the Ide Co. where he worked until 1996. He stayed on the St. J. Fire Dept. as a call firefighter for a total of thirty-three years. In 1996 Tom began a long career at the Guibord Funeral Home of Lyndonville as funeral director and manager.

Maple sugaring was a large part of Tom’s life. He operated Barrett’s Pure VT Maple Syrup in St. Johnsbury for over twenty-five years and enjoyed working in the woods and watching wildlife. In the 1990’s he served as president of Caledonia County Maple Sugar Makers Assoc.  He was a longtime member of the Lyndonville Rotary Club and enjoyed helping with their annual Penny Sale.

Family was very important to Tom. Spending time clearing land and building their camp in Charleston was a family event. Time with his wife, children and grandchildren around the campfire or where ever, was always a wonderful time.

Survivors include his wife Patti; two children and four grandchildren: daughter Jenelle Noble, husband Justin and their two children Natalie and Felicity of Waterford, son Thomas J. “TJ” Barrett, wife Taryn and their two children Brynn and Madden of Colchester; two brothers: David Barrett of Lyndon and Peter Barrett of Littleton, NH; two sisters: Carol (Barrett) Marut of Connecticut, Lisa Barrett and husband Joe Newell of Lyndonville; his mother in-law Gisele Gaskin of Lyndonville; Patti’s siblings: Heidi Lussier and husband Reginald of Kirby, Joni Palmer and husband Scott of Danville, Ernie Gaskin and wife Darla of Indiana, Timothy Gaskin and wife Paula of Lyndonville; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles, and many friends including the Hagan and Lawrence families.  Troy ‘Hoyt’ Darby and Darren Pierce were also considered family.

Besides his mother and father, he was predeceased by his father in-law Ernest Gaskin, a sister in-law, Lauri Larabee and her husband Vernon.

On Tuesday, July 12, visiting hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the Guibord Funeral Home in Lyndonville.  (Entrance will be via the Center St. door with exit out the Main St. door.)

On Wednesday, July 13 at the St. Johns Church in St. Johnsbury, beginning at 10:30 a.m., a few selected speakers will pay tribute to Tom.  At 11 a.m, the Mass of Christian Burial will begin with the Rev. Bernard Gaudreau celebrating the Mass.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

All services can be viewed live on the Northeast Sports Network website at www.nsnsports.net beginning at 10:15am.

Donations made in Tom’s memory may be directed to either the Good Shepard Foundation, P.O. Box 146, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to the Gene McDonough Scholarship, 1187 Main St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.guibordfh.com.  The Guibord Funeral Home is located on the corner of Main and Center streets in Lyndonville.