Obituary of Paul Edward Barrett, Esq.

Paul E. Barrett, of West Islip, passed away on July 8, 2024. Beloved husband of Nancy for 51 years. Devoted father of Melissa, Adam, and his wife Ashley. Dear brother to Kim and her husband, Bob, and Michelle and her husband, Bruce. A soon-to-be grandfather. Loyal brother-in-law to Nora and Don Rilla. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive him, as well as friends who adored him.

He volunteered to enlist in the Marine Corps at the age of 18 in 1966. After 18 months, he rose to the rank of Sergeant.  He served as an Aviation Fire Control Radar Technician, enabling the delivery of air-to-ground munition in support of front-line troops. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1968, where he earned his Combat Action Ribbon. While in Vietnam, he served at An Hoa, Da Nang, and Chu Lai. He was honorably discharged in November of 1969; however, once a Marine, always a Marine, and he embodied what it meant to be a Marine until the day he died.

His working career spanned from his dedicated position at United Technologies, Norden Systems, Sikorsky Aircraft, and Otis Elevator. His ethics, drive, and devotion to his job and colleagues were evident as the Director of Human Resources at Otis Elevator, where he was a union rep advocate who enacted policy changes that can still be seen today. He had a strong passion for his job and had an incredible amount of fun doing it for almost five decades. He also made lifelong friends along the way.

While working at Norden Systems, he attended Bridgeport Institute of Engineering, where he graduated with a Bachelor's in electoral engineering. He then attended Bridgeport University and earned a law degree. He was a member of the law review and passed both the Connecticut and New Hampshire BAR exams. 

He was a true family man. His wife, kids, sisters, cousins, neighbors, and friends were everything to him, and he ensured everyone knew it. He enjoyed vacationing with his family, reading, watching criminal dramas, especially NCIS, and rooting for the Yankees. 

The family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, July 14, between 4 and 8 p.m., at The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, 1225 Montauk Hwy, West Islip. A Mass celebrating his life will be held on Monday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. at St Joseph’s Church, 39 N Carll Ave, Babylon. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery, Route 25, Calverton.