John J. Barrett, M.D., died Friday, December 23, 2011, at his home from complications of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.  John was born June 11, 1938, in Torrington, CT, son of  the late Frances Doyle Barrett and Walter Matthew Barrett of Goshen, CT.   He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Cynthia Martin Barrett of Goshen, CT.
      

He is  also survived by his children, Christopher Barrett of Dover, New Hampshire, Elizabeth Barrett of Cape Neddick Maine, and Jennifer Barrett of Denver,  Colorado, as well as their mother, Linda Hutchins.  In addition,  he is survived by his grandchildren, Merilin M. Barrett of Dover, NH, Henry and Ethan Rogers of Denver, Colorado, and his brother, Frank Barrett, of West Hartford and his sister, Helen McCarthy, of Seabrook Island, South Carolina.  He was fortunate to have several well-loved nieces and nephews as well as other cherished family members.
 

John was an anesthesiologist at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington, CT, from 1975-1998.  He was educated at Boston University School of Medicine, Yale College, New Haven, Tonbridge School, Kent, England, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT, and Goshen Center School. He served in the medical corps of the USAF  from 1968 to 1970 in Nakon Phanom, Thailand.
 

His passions included singing, playing golf, history, travel, and after retirement, woodworking.  He participated in various a cappella singing groups which included the Duke's Men and Whiffenpoofs at Yale, and the Blue Notes at Hotchkiss.  Locally he performed with the Goshen Players and the Mighty Goshen Festival Singers as well as church choirs.  He volunteered with humanitarian medical relief groups in Haiti and India and was an active member of the Winsted Area Peace Action Group since 2002, Goshen Democratic Town Committee, and  the Democratic Coalition of Northwest Connecticut.
 

The family would like to thank his doctors, Michael Kovalchik, Armen Babigian, Huned Patwa and Elizabeth Auld, Bill McGeehin, Tim Gostkowski, Sara Case, Ed Osborn, Kevin Felice and Jinsy Andrews, for their care, love and support during his illness.
 

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 11:00 AM at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Litchfield, CT.  Visit Rowe Funeral Home at www.rowefuneralhome.net/.