Matthew G. Barrett

Matthew (Matt) Barrett, 71, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. He was born on February 6, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Philip and Loretto (Harris) Barrett.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Patrick Barrett, his brothers-in-law Richard Fields and Larry Covitz, and his nephew Dustin Fields.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Frances (Steve) Hiebel, Margaret Covitz, Vincent (Mary) Barrett, Philomena (Pete) Deptula, Martha Fields, Mary (Kevin) O'Halloran, Walter (Leslie) Barrett, and Geraldine (Hugh) Shelley, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Matt attended Our Lady of Sorrows School in Farmington Hills through eighth grade, then continued at Dickinson Middle School in Livonia before graduating from Stevenson High School in 1973. He later completed three years of college coursework at Schoolcraft College and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

During and after college, Matt developed his skills in the trades and, refining his expertise, built a successful business as a master craftsman in painting and home handyman services. His clients valued the care and detail he brought to every job and often became lasting personal friends.

Matt took great pride in his Irish heritage-its culture, music, and traditions-and played Gaelic football with the Michigan Gales. He loved music, played the guitar and banjo, and joyfully sang in the church choir. A tenacious athlete, he enjoyed ice-hockey leagues, college soccer, and following sports of all kinds.

A proud and devout Catholic, Matt attended Mass and received the Eucharist nearly every day. His love for the Word of God grew into a lifelong mission to share his love for the Lord through his work and daily life. He credited his relationship with Jesus for both his personal resilience and success in business. Matt freely shared Scripture and gave powerful testimony that he had been saved by faith.

Guided by his moral character and deep commitment to sharing his faith, Matt built a true family in Christ. For many years he served with the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Refuge Parish and gave countless volunteer hours to St. Vincent de Paul and other church outreach programs. Known throughout the parish as the go-to person whenever help was needed, Matt gave freely and joyfully, living out the words of Scripture: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). He often said that the greatest blessings in his life came through this simple willingness to serve others.

All those who would like to celebrate Matt's life and faith are warmly invited to the following:

Visitation will take place Friday, July 31, 4:00-8:00 pm, with a reading of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 pm at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Avenue, Farmington, MI 48335.

Mass of Christian Burial  will take place Saturday, August 1, 11:00 am at Our Lady of Refuge Parish,
3700 Commerce Road Orchard Lake, MI 48324, luncheon immediately following at 12:00 pm.

Burial will take place Sunday, August 2, at 1:30PM at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Port Sanilac, MI.

Memorial donations may be made to: Our Lady of Refuge, 3725 Erie Drive, Orchard Lake, MI 48324
Please note Food Pantry - In memory of Matt Barrett on the memo line.