The Anglican Diocese of Bunbury is deeply saddened by the death of Reverend Canon Kenneth Sydney Barrett OAM, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 4.
Reverend Barrett faithfully served our Diocese for 51 years as a priest.
He was born on May 11, 1926.
Reverend Barrett was made a deacon in 1962, and ordained as a priest on Trinity Sunday in May 1963 having studied at Rochester Theological Seminary, England.
He served as a curate at St. Leonard’s, Wollaton, England (1962-1965) and as Priest-in-Charge at St. John’s Hucknall, England (1965-1967) before migrating to Western Australia in 1967.
After arriving in WA, he served as Rector of All Saints Anglican Church in Collie (1967-1973).
In 1973 he became the rector of Christ’s Church Mandurah, where he would remain for the next 25 years until retirement in 1992.
After retirement Reverend Barrett continued to assist in the parish for an additional 25 years until his death.
He was made a Canon of the Cathedral of St. Boniface, Bunbury, in 1976 and declared Canon Emeritus in 1994.
Reverend Barrett was Chaplain to Peel Community Palliative Care Service since 2001; Chaplain to Murray District Hospital since 2001 and Chaplain to the RAAFA WA branch since 2008.
On February 26, 2013, the title of Freeman of the City was conferred by the City of Mandurah to Reverend Barrett in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding service to the community.
Having served the Mandurah community as an Anglican Priest for nearly half a century, the small hall of Christ’s Church Anglican Church is named “The Canon Ken Barrett Activity Room” in his honour.
In recognition of his service to Frederick Irwin Anglican School, one of the School Houses is named “Barrett House.”
Reverend Barrett is an Honorary life member of the school governing board.
City of Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams paid tribute to Reverend Barrett.
“When you look at Canon Barrett’s service to the community and his achievements it is very clear why he was conferred a Freeman of the City of Mandurah,” he said.
“It is people like Kenneth Barrett who make us all better people and a better community. On behalf of the Community of Mandurah, I thank him for his life of service.”
Reverend Barrett is survived by Joy, his wife of more than 60 years, and his children and grandchildren.
Purslowe & Chipper Funerals will conduct his funeral on Monday, August 13 from 11am at Christ's Church Anglican Parish of Mandurah.
