January 30 is the anniversary of Philip F. Barrett.

Philip Francis Barrett was born on March 12, 1918 in Philadelphia, PA to Patrick Barrett and Anna Aneen. He was baptized in the Church of Saint Francis de Sales, Philadelphia, on March 24. Raised in Larksville, PA, he attended Saint Vincent’s School in Plymouth, PA. His first contact with the Augustinians was at Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, NY, where he was a postulant during the academic years 1935-1936. Following his high school education he worked at Bendex Aviation Corporation. With the outbreak of the Second World War, Phil entered the military in 1942, serving in the Navy until 1945. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill of Rights, Phil enrolled in Villanova College in one of the first large postwar classes. He graduated with an A.B. degree in economics in 1949. For a brief time he was an accounting instructor at King’s College, Wiles Barre, PA. In September of 1949 he was received into the Augustinian Novitiate at New Hamburg, NY, where he professed simple vows on September 10, 1950 and three years later solemn vows. Phil studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington, DC, and was ordained on June 6, 1953 at the national shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Following his ordination he continued graduate studies in accounting and finance at Catholic University from which he received a master’s degree in 1954.

Father Barrett’s first assignment was to the faculty of Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, DC, in 1954. Five years later he was appointed the second rector of the school. In 1961 he was transferred to Merrimack College, North Andover, MA, as dean pf men and professor of theology. Father Barrett along with Father George Burnell, O.S.A., began preparation with the Archdiocese of Boston for opening a preparatory school in the Merrimack Valley. The school, Austin Preparatory school in Merrimack Valley, was to open its doors in the fall of 1963 with Father Barrett as rector. However, in September of 1962 Father Barrett was assigned to Villanova University, Villanova, PA, as dean of the College of Commerce and Finance. For the next 14 years he worked to improve the College of Commerce and Finance, eventually achieving accreditation by the American Academy of Collegiate Schools of Business. In recognition of his efforts Villanova University granted him an honorary doctorate of Humanities in 1977. During the 19802 until his retirement in 1993, Father served in many parishes in the Province. He was assistant at Saint Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont, PA and Saint Genevieve Parish, Flourtown, PA; Pastor of Saint Joseph’s Church in Greenwich, NY. In 1972 when a disastrous flood struck Wilkes Barrett, Father Barrett organized and served as director of the flood relief.

Father Barrett had a great love for the outdoors and with brother Augustinians spent many vacations camping and fishing. His personality and enthusiasm for Villanova attracted the support of many influential business men. In 1993 as his health began to fail due to heart condition, Phil was assigned to Saint Thomas Monastery on the campus of the university. Father Barrett died on this date after a short stay at the Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr, PA.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 3, 1994 at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church. The celebrant was Father John Hagen, O.S.A., the prior provincial. Before the prayers of commendation, brief remarks were delivered by the dean of Commerce and Finance, Alvin A. Clay. Interment was the following day in the family plot of Saint Stephen’s Cemetery in Lehman, PA.

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