Post a reply || Back to NFA Class Memorial Page..

John J. Barbero - Class of 1939

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 17/Nov/2015
174.22.244.223

    John J. Barbero, of Balmville, died peacefully on Sunday, November 15, 2015, following a short illness. His loving family was by his side; he was 95. Born June 20, 1920 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., he moved to Newburgh in 1925 and has lived there ever since. He was the son of James Barbero and Pierina Marcellino Barbero, and the husband of Gloria Katheryn DiPaul Barbero to whom he was married for 65 years. He graduated from NFA in 1939 and from RPI with a Civil Engineering Degree in 1949. He worked for Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation as an Engineer for 36 years. John enlisted in the Army Air Corp as an Aviation Cadet in 1942 and was transferred to India after graduating from Navigation School. He completed 92 missions flying through the Himalaya Mountains into China. For this service he was awarded The Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, a Presidential Citation, two battle stars for the China Campaign and the Burma-India Campaign. He was awarded the Chinese National Governments highest Meritorious Service Medal, as well as many other awards. Upon return home, he was assigned to the Ferry Command which delivered various aircraft such as the B-29 to various overseas warfronts. The necessity of refueling in the Azores made this one of the most dangerous assignments of the war. His last assignment was to fly a scheduled military airline from New York to Paris. After the war, he was assigned to the Air Force Reserve at Stewart Field where he served for 35 years. During this time he was called up for service during the Korean War. Following his retirement from Central Hudson and the Air Force, John and his wife Gloria traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. He embraced the qualities of “The Greatest Generation”, love of family, church, and country. He attended church daily after his retirement and was involved regularly with the day to day workings of the parish which he loved so much. His also studied language for a number of years after retirement which was very useful in his travels through Europe with his wife, his family, and his friends. John was a self-taught musician; playing by ear. He carried a harmonica wherever he went. He shared with his wife his love of Art, Architecture, History, and Natural Science which they enjoyed together. This aside, nothing was more precious to him than spending time with family. He celebrated every birth, every success, every achievement of his immediate and extended family, with the sweetness and understanding of a loving father, grandfather, uncle, friend. Spending time with family and friends was his consistent goal. John was a loving, caring, supportive and attentive spouse, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. A true officer and gentleman, he was adored by all. He will be sorely missed and eternally loved. Survivors include his loving wife Gloria Barbero at home, daughter Linda Barbero and her husband Charlie of Mystic, Ct., son Paul Barbero and his wife Edie, of Charlottesville, Va., daughter Cynthia Behan and her husband John of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., son Mark Barbero and his fiancé Heather, son Michael Barbero and his wife Norma of Silverdale, WA. He is survived by two sisters, Margaret Filiberti of Middlehope and Gloria Crisci of Newburgh. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two lifelong friends, Dave Lustig Jr. of Walden, N.Y. and Dr. Arthur O’Leary of Thompson Ridge, N.Y. John was predeceased by three brothers, Harold Barbero, Fred Barbero Sr., and Joseph Barbero and by two sisters, Ida Terracino and Rita Boyd, as well as several nephews and nieces. John was a member of Sacred Heart Church Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, Fatima retreat Group, Catholic War Veterans, Reserve Officers association, Military Officers of America, Disabled Veterans Association, and the National Association of uniformed Services. Friends may call on Thursday, November 19 from 5-8 pm at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave. Newburgh. A Mass will be held at 10 am on Friday, November 20 in Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.

Replies to this post

• Re: John J.Barbero - Class of 1939 - Ronald williams 03/Jan/2016