Arthur Barrett Jr.

Arthur Barrett Jr., 91, best known as “Skip,” died peacefully early Monday morning, March 11, following a brief illness.

He was born in Nashua on March 21, 1932, the son of the late Arthur L. Barrett Sr. and Isabelle (Smith) Barrett.

Always civic minded, Skip donated his time to the City of Nashua in numerous capacities over the course of several decades, beginning in the 1960s when he served Nashua’s Ward 3 as selectman and moderator before being elected to two terms as Ward 3 alderman.

One of his proudest accomplishments as alderman was his introduction of a city ordinance that required dog owners to leash or otherwise restrain their dogs. The subsequent passage of the ordinance earned Barrett the nickname “Bow Wow Barrett, the father of Nashua’s leash law.”

Barrett’s contributions to efforts to build a new Nashua Public Library earned him a seat on the library’s Board of Trustees. He would go on to serve 45 years on the board before retiring in 2018.

He also sat on several other local boards, including the Hunt Home (now Hunt Community), the United Way of Greater Nashua, the American Red Cross and AAA, among others. Additionally, Skip was recognized as a fixture at the polls in Nashua serving faithfully as Moderator of his ward for several years.

Barrett attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1959 and later becoming president of the UNH Alumni Association.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean conflict.

Professionally, “Skip” worked for the former Indian Head National Bank (later Fleet Bank) for a number of years, serving in various capacities and, ultimately, as senior vice president. His duties included spending a great deal of time at the State House in Concord as a lobbyist on various banking-related issues, including the Interstate Banking bill.

“Skip” drew respect on both sides of the aisle and forged lifelong friendships with many of those with whom he collaborated. Of note also is a brief sabbatical at the New England Council in Boston in the 1970s.

Included in his many other roles is his chairmanship of the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank for several years in the 1980s, where he continued to build upon his relationships in the banking community in New Hampshire and beyond.

Following his retirement from the bank, he became a well-known, and much-liked, marshal and starter at the Amherst Country Club, where he played his final round of golf last year at age 90. He loved the game of golf, which was well-suited to his affable nature.

He is predeceased by a sister, Marjorie Moore.

“Skip” is survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha Jane (Pierce) Barrett; a daughter, Tracy Barrett; two sons, John Barrett and Steve Barrett and his wife, Marianne (Ferris) Barrett; a grandson, Trevor Barrett; a sister, Janice Evans; and several close nieces and nephews and extended family members.

SERVICES: Visiting hours are from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, March 19th at the Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock St, Nashua, NH, with church services planned for Wednesday the 20th at the First Church, 1 Concord Street, Nashua NH at 10 am. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Skip’s name to the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St, Nashua, NH, 03060. An online guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com. The Davis Funeral Home (603)883-3401 “ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER.”