On October 21, 2022, just shy of his 94th birthday, Roger Barrett, after a long life dedicated to the service of his community, has left this earthly realm, to join his high school sweetheart, our mother Alix Lorraine Barrett (1968)
Born on November 8, 1928, he was the 6th of 12 children born to Edith and Reginald Barrett. He was predeceased by his parents, Reginald (1944), Edith, his siblings Arthur (K.I.A.1944), Kathleen, Genevieve, Reginald, Albert, Leslie, Delmarie, Nelson, and Robert.
Left to mourn his passing are his brother Cecil (Roma), sister Joan (Gene), sons Richard (Cecile), Arthur (Beverly) and Bradford, grandchildren Kristopher (Jenn), Tyler; Jennifer (Cody), Heather (Geoff), John; and Janelle (Lindsay), Alix (Michael), great grandchildren Donavan (Jessie), Abigail; Brennan, Kai; Daylon, Jared, and Charlize; Axel and great great grandchild Roman.
In his life, he helped many to reach their full potential. As a shops instructor at what is now called Manitoba Development Centre, as a Manpower counsellor matching workers to employers, referring others to training and later as a Canada Manpower manager at Steinbach, Selkirk Manpower Offices. He always treated people fairly, and over the years of his retirement, many of those he supervised maintained contact. Much to the chagrin of his children he could strike up a conversation with anyone at anytime. His “I’ll just be a couple of minutes” will always stick in our mind. As a child you don’t understand that that was his calling to connect with people and help where he could. Even if his aim was to let people know that he was interested in what they had to say and for them to know that they mattered to him.
Portage was always his base. He maintained a house in Portage, even when he worked and lived in other communities. Upon retirement from the Federal Public Service, he become more involved in community service in Portage. Both he and his long-time partner Marguerite Patterson were involved with St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Meals on Wheels, and visiting with those in the hospital. He was a board member of Herman Prior Centre as well as the Art Gallery and was also involved in the establishment of the Portage and District Community Services Foundation.
He sometimes lamented that growing old was hard, having outlived our mother, Alix Lorraine Barrett; his longtime partner Marguerite Patterson, most of his siblings, close and high-school friends, and former co-workers. He would follow that up with “the key to life was happily celebrating a birthday each year”. He was happy to celebrate each birthday with his family.
The family would like to thank all those who touched his life. His friends, his coworkers, the dedicated staff at both the Lions Prairie Manor, and the Portage General Hospital, as well as the professional service provided by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.
While we expect that many would like to join us, we have opted to just have a close family event service due to fact that Covid is still on the rise. Several members of our family are already immuno-compromised without the added stress and concern for their lives.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate money and/or time in memory of dad to your favourite charity.
A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com