Richard P. “Butch” Barrett, 78, WWII Marine Veteran and Former Owner of Barrett Ice Co., Dies-September 4, 1984

Richard P. “Butch” Barrett, a lifelong Norwood resident, decorated World War II Marine Corps veteran, and longtime local businessman who operated the Barrett Ice Co. for 35 years, passed away at his home on Thursday at the age of 78.

Military Service and Barrett Ice Co.

Mr. Barrett answered the nation’s call during World War II, serving overseas as a United States Marine Corps platoon sergeant stationed in China and Japan. Following his military service, he joined with his brothers to establish the Barrett Ice and Coal Co. As the fuel and ice operations expanded, the brothers divided the enterprise, leaving Mr. Barrett at the helm of the ice sales division.

For 35 years, his refrigerated trucks served commercial outlets, restaurants, gasoline stations, and small stores across Norwood, Foxboro, Mansfield, Randolph, and Westwood, alongside managing commercial ice vending machines. He also supplied ice to the bustling crowds and concession stands during the height of the stock car racing era at the Norwood Arena. While the bulk of his ice inventory was sourced from Boston wholesalers, Mr. Barrett operated a small manufacturing plant in Norwood dedicated to producing ice cubes. For his children, accompanying their father on weekend summer deliveries in the back of the refrigerated truck—and bringing along friends who considered the ride “really neat”—was a cherished childhood tradition.

Mr. Barrett ultimately closed out his ice enterprise when rising insurance expenses and escalating local vandalism made maintaining the outdoor vending machines financially prohibitive. He subsequently embarked on a second career as a security guard for the Polaroid Corp., working for approximately a decade before his retirement in 1978.

Lifelong Norwood Roots and Family Life

A proud product of the community, Mr. Barrett graduated from Norwood High School in 1933, where he played on the varsity football team. Rooted in a family with deep municipal ties—his father served as a sergeant on the Norwood Police Department—Mr. Barrett also contributed as a volunteer auxiliary police officer for the town.

An avid sports fan who loved watching baseball and football, Mr. Barrett shared a passion for gardening with his wife of many years, Janet A. (Runci) Barrett. The couple enjoyed extensive road trips throughout New England, visiting Prince Edward Island and mainland eastern Canada, and traveled abroad to Finland and Sweden when their son, Richard P. Barrett Jr., played on a Greater Boston youth hockey touring team.

Surviving Relatives and Funeral Services

Mr. Barrett is survived by his wife, Janet A. Barrett; his son, Richard P. Barrett Jr. of Exeter, N.H.; his daughter, Jane C. Barrett of Norwood; a brother, Frank W. Barrett of Needham; and a sister, Mary Shea of Lowell.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 9:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, with burial following in Highland Cemetery. Visiting hours are scheduled Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Gillooly Funeral Home, located at 126 Walpole St. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to the Neponset Valley Hospice, 3 Edgewater Drive, Norwood 02062.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger