Edward Joseph Barrett Jr.

Edward Joseph Barrett, Jr., (11/24/42-1/19/25) passed away peacefully at home in Brewster, MA surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Susan Elizabeth (Brodrick), his son Andrew Richmond Barrett and partner Michael Roy, son Edward Joseph Barrett III and wife Carolyn Barrett, and grandchildren Grace and Charles Barrett whom he loved dearly.

Edward grew up in Belmont, MA with his father Edward Joseph Sr. and mother Dorothea Agnes (Rogers). As an only child, he was often surrounded by his large extended family, many aunts and uncles, and had close lifelong relationships with his cousins Susan and Agnes O’Conner, Mary Jane Huff, Tom Rogers, Deborah Rogers Ruppel, Herb and Donald Peterson.

Edward and Susan met in 1965 in West Dennis, MA when he was a police officer and Susan managed “The Zoo”, a gift shop. He was running a police duty outside of the shop and in order to secure a first date he offered to let Susan borrow his car. Susan dented the car on her first drive, but they still went on the date and saw Ray Charles play in Harwich. They married in 1967 and settled in Winchester, MA where they raised their family and lived until moving full time to Cape Cod in 2021. They were a great team, and lovingly worked together their entire lives as educator’s and role models to their families, students, and each other.

Edward was the first person in his family to attend college. He had a passion for learning and education. He received his Bachelors Degree, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Education, and Juris Doctor all from Suffolk University. After careers in the US Coast Guard, Dennis Police Dept, and the Insurance industry, Edward and his law partner Jaqueline Sullivan founded and ran the law firm of Barrett & Sullivan for 40 years. He defended thousands of clients and could recount all the details of every case and the names of everyone involved right until his last days. Edward was also a professor at Suffolk University, Bentley University, Northeastern University and Mount Ida College.

Edward had a moral compass that always pointed in the right direction and an exceptionally sharp mind. He always wanted to do the right and honest thing for people. He read the Wall Street Journal and New York Times front to back every day. He was a master story teller and could captivate an audience equally well with fascinating and detailed law stories or very long drawn out jokes.

Edward’s passion other than his family and his law practice was the outdoors. He was an avid hiker, mountain climber, camper, sailor, fisherman, canoer, beach-goer, and hunter. He spent 35+ years going to the Mount Chase Lodge in Maine with his sons to be out in “The Big Woods”. He explored The White Mountains and Baxter State Park since he was a teenager. He drove out on Nauset Beach in The Jeep over 600 times (he kept track) to spend sunny days fishing and cooking hot dogs with his family and close friends Mark and Anne Sullivan. In his heart he was truly a family man, and cherished every moment and experience they all had together. His most cherished legacy is his wonderful grandchildren Grace and Charles.

Edward will be buried next to his loving parents at Pine Grove Cemetery in Brewster, MA at 11AM on Saturday, February 1st.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Edward’s name can be made to the Friends of Baxter State Park friendsofbaxter.org