Pittsfield- Jean-Pierre “Pierre” Barrette, 80, died Saturday, August 26, 2017 at the Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility after valiantly conquering his battle with cancer for 8 years.

Pierre was born in Montreal, Canada on February 14, 1937 a son of the late Fernand and Fernande (Dussault) Barrette. Pierre and his family moved to the United States in 1938, having come through New York City, and they later moved to Great Barrington, MA in 1945. Pierre was a 1955 graduate of the former St. Joseph’s High School of Pittsfield. He then went on to enlist in the US Army, and proudly served overseas during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, Pierre attended UMASS Amherst, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Pierre had a heart for serving his community while raising his family in Dalton. He was a volunteer fireman for many years, a member of the Dalton Lions Club, and an active member of the Dalton School Committee, once serving as the Committee President. Pierre worked for many years for General Electric as an engineer for both the power and ordnance plants, and retired in 1996. In later years during his retirement, Pierre was named the Respite Worker of the Year by BcArc, and enjoyed his part-time job as a Cabulance driver for CRT.

Pierre leaves behind his partner in life, Mary Wright, and his best buddy, Ethan Wright, as well as Mary’s sons Thomas and Richard. He also leaves his 5 children, CJ, Annie, Mark, John and his wife Michele, and Mary Kate and her husband Romen, his special friend Laurie Groves, his 11 grandchildren: Eileen, Daniel, Lily, Sara, Sam, Max, Nolan, Xander, Samara, Micah, and Aminah, and his extended family in Canada and the US, including his cherished cousins Nicole Barrette and Philip LeFevre.

Pierre was predeceased by his parents, his only brother Claude Barrette, and his first wife, Beverly (Pratt) Barrette, who died in 1996.

Pierre’s family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Harvey Zimbler, Dr. Wade Gebara, and the entire staff at the BHO on Tor Court for their many years of excellent care and compassion, and they would also like to extend a thank you to the BHO Cafeteria staff where Pierre whole heartedly believed that you could get the best meal in Berkshire County.

There will be no funeral services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to honor Pierre’s memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Greyhound Options, INC., or the charity of your choice.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Devanny-Condron Funeral Home.

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