Richard "Dick" Barrett

Albany, NY- We are sad to announce that Richard “Dick” Barrett of Loudonville (Albany), NY entered into eternal rest on August 30th at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Louise and Richard Barrett, Sr, his dear brother, Dennis (Anne) Barrett and his beloved wife, Kathleen (O’Brien) Barrett. He leaves behind his three children Kerry (Wilson) Mendez, Richard (Tara) Barrett and Katie (Neil) O’Connor. He also leaves behind his 9 adored grandchildren including Kevin, Justin and Aidan Mendez; Ashley, Kendall and Owen Barrett; Ryan, Emma and Kara O’Connor. He is the brother-in-law to Bill (Karen) O’Brien and Joan (Bill) Sandwick. For many years, Dick was the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Albany and was instrumental in organizing numerous community favorites including the Tulip Festival, Park Playhouse, City Youth Employment and Swinburne Ice Rink. He was a life-long Democratic Committeeman in Albany and then Colonie who supported many political candidates and protected voting rights. He was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church Community and a graduate of Blessed Sacrament School. He also attended Vincentian Institute, class of 1964 and Siena College graduating with honors with a BS in Physics in 1968. Dick cherished his involvement in the West End Little League and the Albany Twilight League as a coach, Vice President, historian and photographer. Always a lover of books and anything historically focused, Dick helped research and authored many books, videos and articles centered on Albany politics, railroads and local baseball teams right up to the time of passing. It was never uncommon to find a photo, statistic or quote in the local newspapers attributed to “Dick Barrett”. As a train aficionado, Dick was a board member of the New York Central System Historical Society, and helped organize the annual national convention, and pen train articles for the organization. He was widely known as the local West Albany Shop historian and New York Central archivist. He shared his wealth of knowledge of trains with the community by building formal exhibits at the Albany Institute of History and Art in Albany, train shows and local libraries. Dick will be remembered for his love of Harley motorcycles, Winston Churchill books, New York Yankees, everything modeled trains and yellow lab dogs. He was an author, commissioner, historian, orator, politician, husband, dad and grandfather and will be missed by many. The family would like to thank Dr. Caulfield and the dedicated nursing staff at Shaker Place (Meacham Hall) for the care Dick received there over the past two years. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dick’s family Tuesday, September 5, 2023 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 121206. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only. Funeral services Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 10:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave. (Father John Bradley Way) Albany, NY 12206 where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal will be held at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery immediately following the Mass. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com Those desiring may send a remembrance in Dick’s name to the Reverend John Bradley Scholarship Fund at Blessed Sacrament School, 605 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206.

Tributes

Richard "Dick" Barrett

October 20, 1946 - August 30, 2023