Harry N. Barrett Jr., 77

DOVER - Harry N. Barrett Jr., of Dover, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008, in Underwood Memorial Hospital, Woodbury, N.J. He was 77.

Harry was born June 4, 1930, in Dover, son of the late Mildred G. (Case) Barrett and Harry N. Barrett Sr.

He was raised in Rising Sun on his family's farm.

Harry graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1948 where he was a star athlete in football, basketball and baseball.

After graduation he was recruited by the St. Louis Cardinals' farm team where he played for one season.

Harry returned home to a lifelong career as a farmer and auctioneer.

He was a member of the Delaware National Guard in the 1950s.

In 1952, Harry married his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth, and eventually settled in Dover where they raised their family.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards and watching sporting events.

Harry was an avid horseman for more than 50 years, raising, training and racing standardbred horses. In recent years he was a partner with his son in the Willow Mill Stables and continued to work with horses on a daily basis. He was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association and the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association.

Although he retired from auctioneering in 2004 he continued farming.

Harry was dedicated to his family and immensely loyal to those close to him.

He will be dearly missed by many.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Rebecca (Albers) Barrett; a son, Gordon and his companion Kim Bomberger of Wyoming; a daughter, Grace Cilento and her husband Mark of Middletown; a brother, Norman W. Barrett of Dover; two sisters, Harriett B. Chambers of Dover and Jane C. Golder of Magnolia; three grandchildren, Jamie L. Barrett of Dover, and Kristian B. Cilento and Kimberly G. Cilento, both of Middletown.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.

Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church, 113 Lotus St., Dover.

Burial will follow at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, c/o Harrington Raceway, 15 W. Rider Road, Harrington, DE 19952; or to the American Heart Association, Kent County, 1151 Walker Road, Suite 202, Dover, DE 19904.

Letters of condolences may be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.