Jeffrey Barnett

Wilbraham – Jeffrey A. Barnett, 78, passed away at home with family on Tuesday April 2, 2024. He was the son of the late Ralph and Dagmar (Hamacek) Barnett. Jeffrey spent his childhood moving often throughout the country as the son of a Navy pilot. His love for the ocean, boating and sailing grew out of years living on both coasts. He was happy when out on one of his boats, and when on land was sure to be driving a unique car that had caught his eye.

After studying Computer Science at Cal Berkley, and continuing on to receive a Masters of Computer Science from Syracuse University, Jeff’s career as a computer systems engineer spanned 30 years of amazing computer development. While at IBM, he was part of project teams that worked on the original room-size main frame computers, software that NASA took to space, personal computers, the creation of the world wide web, and early internet websites.

Sharing his love of computers and a career at IBM with his loving wife of 53 years Gail, they travelled together throughout the country and the world to complete their work and explore along the way. Jeff was always happy to bring the newest computer models home to try out and to share with his family, often writing software for his daughters to play with on those new home computers. While neither of his daughters followed his footsteps into computer science, his appreciation for education and problem-solving were traits he passed on. Jeff used his skills in his second career at Yale University to create websites for their library system.

Retirement allowed Jeff to enjoy the beach and ocean once again as a summer resident on Long Beach in Rockport, MA. He loved his daily walks along the sea wall, grabbing his binoculars to peer out and identify boats that were passing by the window of his cottage, and making sure to man the grille come dinnertime. He was eventually able to share those long summer beach days with his three grandchildren who now love the beach as he did.

Jeff will be missed by his wife Gail (Montagna) Barnett; daughter Andrea Gemignani and her husband Zach and their children Owen, Maya, and Lila of Franklin, TN; daughter Kimberly Barnett of Belmont, MA; brother Eric Barnett and his wife Becky; sister Dagmar Salmon and her husband Ray; and sister-in-law Marilyn Montagna.

Funeral services will be held privately and a memorial service – one on each coast – will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center (hyperlink: https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/give-to-the-mgh fund