2003-10-08 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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I would to nominate my grandfather, Chauncey Barett, for Centerville's Lifetime Achievement Award. Chauncey lived his entire life in Centerville and was a well respected member of the. community. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, many who still live in the area today. Also, Centerville's SeniOl: Housing was named "after him. Chauncey Joseph Barett was born on March 21, 1907 on his grandparent's farm on 20th Avenue (then called Fort Tuyau Road). His family lived in the Centervi1le area while he was growing up. He and his four brothers received their education from Centerville School. Like many children in the Centerville community, Chauncey could only speak French when he began school. Tragedy struck his family in 1924 when Chauncey was 17 years old. His father, Robert Barett, was injured at his job on the St. Paul Water Department and died three days later. Chauncey took over his father's job to support his mother and brothers. This was a large responsibility for a teenager but typical of the kind of person that Chauncey was. He married Violet Arcand on June 21, 1927 and they set up housekeeping on the farm where Chauncey grew up. In the following years Chauncey and Vi raised 6 children and worked very hard running their farm, working and feeding their family. They were a wonderful example of what the institution of marriage is all about. In 1938, Chauncey and Vi move~ to Centerville at 7024 Centerville Road and lived there for more than 60 years. The property was not very well kept.up and the two worked very hard cleaning the yard and remodeling the house. Church was a very important part of Chauncey's life. He tirelessly volunteered hundreds of hours to St. Genevieve's Church. He served as a trustee for the parish and was chairperson of S1. Genevieve's Chicken Dinner and Festival for numerous years. He volunteered many hours helping to dig the basement of the church in the early 1940's. Chauncey also kept the sidewalks shoveled in the winter and planted many of the trees that are on the church property. I think his biggest contribution to the church and to the community was the over 30 years he devoted ringing the church bells. He rang the bells before every weekend Mass to announce to the community that church would begin in 5 minutes. He also rang the bells at 6:00 pm everyday for the Angelus and at funerals. Chauncey could often be seen riding his bike or walking to Church to carry on his responsibility. He did all these things as" a volunteer and never asked or expected to be paid or receive recognition for them. Chauncey spent many hours gardening and maintaining his yard. He was known for his beautiful roses and his immaculate garden. It was quite common to see people stopped on the side of the road to admire his handiwork. This was how the senior housing in Centerville got the name "Chauncey Barett Gardens".