Ernest L. Barrette

Ernest L. Barrette of St. Antoine Residence, passed away on December 12, 2020 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Claire A. (Lambert) Barrette for over sixty-five years. Born in Woonsocket, he was a son of the late Noe and Irene (Proulx) Barrette. Ernie served in the US Army during the Korean War achieving the rank of Sergeant and received the Bronze Service Star and the Purple Heart. He was a construction superintendent for Dimeo Construction Co. for forty years. During this time, he overseed the construction and renovation of several prominent buildings including the Providence Post Office, the Brown Univ. Science Library, Marquette Credit Union, and the Berkeley Building also known as the old John Hancock Building. Ernie was a member of the Carpenters and Joiners Union, the Club Marquette, Le Club Par-X, the Woonsocket Lodge of Elks, the Disabled America Veterans, the 5th Regimental Combat Team Association and the Richelieu Club where he served as past president and was awarded Man of The Year in 1990. He enjoyed cooking and spent several years volunteering at the Elks Club and Camp Ker Anna. He was also very active at St. Ann’s parish and volunteered at the bingo, served on the finance committee, and did many repairs on the church building.

Besides his wife he leaves two sons, Ernie-Paul Barrette M.D. of Clayton, MO, and David C. Barrette of Foster, RI; three daughters, Jacqueline Hunt and her husband Max of Abbeville, AL, Rachel Stella and her husband George of Kissimmee, FL, and Renee Gelinas and her husband Dennis of Dayville, CT; twelve siblings, Emile, Roland, Raymond, and Richard Barrette, Pauline Ethier, Alice Leduc, Therese Pelland, Cecile Leclerc,  Helene Cloutier, Jeanne Boffi, Rita Martin, and Suzanne Theroux; ten grandchildren, Travis and Faith-Anne Hunt, Koji Barrette, Alicia Stella Mercer, Christian Stella, Jonathan and Justin Barrette, Danielle and Thomas Gelinas, and Nicole Tager; and five great-grandchildren, Alexander, Jacob, Brandon, Parker and Maya Barrette. He was predeceased by a brother Gerard Barrette. Ernest was a kind and giving man who loved spending time with his family. In retirement he enjoyed working in his wood working shop making lasting treasures for his family and friends. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to St. Ann’s Arts and Cultural Center, PO Box 79, Woonsocket, RI 02895 or St. Antoine Residence, 10 Rhodes Ave. North Smithfield, RI 02896. Family and friends are invited to attend remotely at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/4051400 . A video will be available to view beginning at 9:30 AM. Arrangements under the direction of the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home.

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