Albert Barrett

Albert Hugh Barrett was born on April 14, 1942, in Castleton, St. Mary, Jamaica. Albert was the 

youngest son of eight children by parents Theresa Agatha Simms and Uriel Augustus

Barrett. They both predeceased him.

Growing up, Albert enjoyed the benefits of being the baby brother, always having fun playing tricks

on his siblings. His favorite games growing up were cricket, chevy, and hide and seek. At the

urging of his father, who always stressed the importance of learning a trade, Albert began

training at age 16 to become a mechanical engineer. Before planting roots in the United States,

he migrated to Canada in the 1970s to further his education. At the request of his best friend and

brother, Leonard, Albert boarded a greyhound bus from Toronto to Chicago to begin a career

working on boiler systems. His job took him worldwide, working on ships traveling the world to

Dubai, Japan, China, Egypt, Mexico, Australia, Iraq, and more.

Albert, affectionately known as “Roadmaster” or “Roadie”, had a passion for music and it

eventually blossomed into a full-time business which led him to build a successful legacy. He

opened a record store called Roadmaster International Records in Evanston, Illinois selling all

genres of Caribbean music especially his beloved Jamaican Reggae music. In addition to the

record store, he also owned a classic sound system named “Roadmaster Sound”: Through this his

friends, family, and the community credited him for spreading the Caribbean culture throughout

Evanston and surrounding communities. Albert’s favorite artists were Gregory Isaacs and Ken

Boothe. He enjoyed their music immensely, specifically the songs “Night Nurse” and “Everything I

Own.”

Despite having a stroke in the early 2000s, Albert’s zest for life was unchanged. He had a positive

aspect, profound sense of humor and an infectious belly laugh. Over the years, families and friends

looked to Albert for his wisdom, understanding, and kindness. He was well known for his

generosity and unwavering dedication to those he loved. Albert enjoyed spending time with

family, and he made it a point daily to call all of those he could not see near and far, whether it is to

share a laugh or simply check in. He was an avid coffee drinker, and NBA fan. As a diehard LeBron

James's fan, Albert was willing to argue any day, why LeBron is and always will be the GOAT.

Remaining to cherish Albert’s memory are his brother Beresford, his children: Barrington,

Charles, Clive, Garfield, and Sophia; Stepchildren: Fay and Raymond; Grandchildren:

Danielle, Rauqelle, Gabrielle, Emmanuel, Jahmier, Jahcia, Darnell, Chukiya, Nijah, Shaniya,

and Charlie; Step-grandchildren: Ushane, Nhashara, Romero, Ryan, Walton Jr, Courtney, Jeff,

and Eradicta; Great-grandchildren: Abbel, Ayva, Elle, and Joseph. His first son, Glenford and

stepdaughter Winsome predeceased him.

Rest In Peace, Partner. You will be sorely missed

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