Obituary of Joseph M. Barthet

Dr. Joseph M. Barthet, age 74, died at his home in Boone, NC on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 following many years of illness. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Connie, and leaves a legacy of five adult children and eight grandchildren. One grandchild, Jennifer Woods, predeceased him. Joe’s children are Joanne Sweazey of Pt. St. Lucie, FL, Lorraine Segade of Jensen Beach, FL, Michelle Parker of Conway, SC, Suzanne Barker of Boone, and James Barthet of Marlborough, Ma. He is also survived by two brothers, Alfred and Mario as well as three sisters, Odette Agius, Dorienne Pollacco, and Louise Falzone. Joe was born and raised in the Mediterranean island of Malta and most of his immediate family members are there. Joseph had certificates of exam from the University of London and the University of Oxford. He spent four years in the Jesuit seminary in Naxxar, Malta which was the most formative of his educational and spiritual experiences. From there he was sent to the US to study at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA on scholarship. He attended the Government School of Art under the Tutelage of three well-known masters, Vincent Appap, Antoine Camelleri and Chevalier Esprit Barthet. After immigrating to the US, Joe earned a BA and Med from Florida Atlantic University and a PhD in Behavioral Science from the Florida Institute of Technology. Joseph’s career included Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Behavioral Medicine and fine art. He was very active in his community while living in Jensen Beach, Fl. He was elected president of the Board of Tri-County Rehabilitation Center in 1977, active in the local Mental Health Association, gave numerous presentations for nurses at IRCC, as well having been the first Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stuart, FL, taught CCD there and ran their first group for divorced and separated Catholics. During his career in fine art in Boone, he donated paintings to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church as well as the Lutheran, the Episcopalian and a Baptist Church, and many charities. He lived; he worked; he played; he fished; he laughed; he cried, and through in all, he loved. Rest in peace beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. A Funeral Mass for Dr. Joseph Barthet will be celebrated Monday morning, July 8, at 11 oclock at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, officiated by Father Matthew Codd. The family suggests memorials to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 217 E. Tremont Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203, or to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 259 Pilgrims Way, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Barthet family.