Ernest O. Barrett Jr. of Vineyard Haven died on May 26, 2020 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was the husband of Lucinda da Rosa Barrett. 

He was born on June 6, 1935 in Oak Bluffs. He attended the Tisbury School. When his father was killed in an accident he left school at age 16 to work so he could help support his family.

He served for two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Landshut, Germany, doing border patrol along the Czech border during the Czechoslovakian crisis.

After the service, he worked for Carroll’s Trucking, Rogers Trucking, Coca-Cola Co. and E.C. Cottle as a truck driver and lumberyard worker. He also worked for General Dynamics in Quincy as a ship fitter on several ships for the U.S. government, including the USS Wichita. He returned to the Island and worked with Doyle Construction, working also with J.K. Scanlon as a clerk of the works to build the first Woodside Village housing for the elderly in Oak Bluffs. He also was clerk of the works for the West Tisbury School. After that, he worked for the Steamship Authority and Vineyard Transit Authority as a bus driver until he retired.

He was a member of the Tisbury fire department and the Elks Club of Falmouth and an honorary member of the Holy Ghost Association of Oak Bluffs.

Over the years, Ernie and his wife Cindy traveled to many places in Quebec and Ontario, Canada. They enjoyed trips to New Hampshire and Maine where they visited with good friends they had met over the years. In retirement he enjoyed time with friends, socializing and talking over the news of the day.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Mary Barrett, and a brother James Barrett. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Wayne and his wife Nadine, and Donald Barrett; daughters Ann Marie Cywinski and her husband Joseph Sr., and Alison Barrett and her husband Jesse; a sister Marie Mercer and her husband Stan; brother Edmund Barrett; niece Elizabeth and her husband Kevin Oliver; nephew Ste phen Seward and his wife Catherine; seven grandchildren, Elise Ray, Morgan Alwardt, Rachel Perry, Megan Barrett, Jacob Oliver, Kayla Oliver, Joey Cywinski Jr.; and seven great-grandchildren, Ella and Jenna Ray, Michael and Ryah Perry and Madilyn, Carly, and Khloe Alwardt.

A graveside service will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven on Monday, June 14 at 11 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Michael Nagle with military honors provided by the Veterans of Martha’s Vineyard.

For online guestbook and information, please visit ccgfuneralhome.com.