November 3, 1932 – August 9, 2021
Joseph J. Barbera, of Stoneham, August 9, 2021, at age 88, passed peacefully surrounded by his family. Joe is the beloved husband of Janice F. (Archiprete). Loving father of Stephen Barbera and his wife Gail, Michael Barbera and his wife Susan, Denise Miles and her husband Kenneth, Scott Barbera and his wife Lisa, Richard Barbera and his wife Diana, Christopher Barbera, and the late Joseph Barbera. Devoted grandfather of Shannon Moore and husband Zack, Anthony Barbera, Michael Barbera, Jeffrey Miles, Stephanie Dearmin and her husband Andrew, Ashley Barbera, Daniel Miles, Nicholas Barbera, Jessica Barbera, Gina Barbera, and Matthew Barbera. Great grandfather of ZJ Moore, Emma Dearmin, and Lois Moore. Dear brother of Mary Comerford and her husband James, Donna Renezetti and her husband Michael, and the late Connie Sheehan, Joan Jopson, and John “Jack” Barbera. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Joe was born in Chelsea on November 3rd, 1932. It was in East Cambridge that Joe first met Janice, and a 68-year love story began. They lived two blocks away from each other and Joe used to wait at the corner of Cambridge Street and Sixth Street to catch a glimpse of Janice heading home after a day at Sacred Heart High School. After Joe graduated from Ringe Tech and Janice from Sacred Heart, they were married in 1953 at Sacred Heart Church. Joe worked as a florist after high school and actually prepared the Boston Marathon winners’ laurel wreaths. Janice started her career at the New England Telephone Company in Boston. Joe was drafted for a tour of duty with the US Army in February of 1953 to Frankfurt Germany. Young Joseph arrived on March 27th, 1954, and was the first of their seven children.
Joe worked two full-time jobs at a gas station and at Shooshanian Engineering as a draftsman. He attended Northeastern University and eventually worked his way into a full-time Chief Engineering position. He also taught a plumbing design class at Franklin Institute in Boston. He earned his license as a Professional Engineer (PE) in 1987 and also served as the President of the American Society for Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) for four years.
He was a proud family man and was involved in all of his children’s athletics. He served on the Stoneham High School Scholarship Committee and was a founding member of the team to build the first Boy’s Club in Stoneham. Joe enjoyed Classical music and opera that he listened to as he worked in his gardens preparing arrangements for family events. Joe was an avid beer stein collector and was the proud owner of over 300 vintage and commemorative steins from all around the world. He was a skilled woodworker who loved making items for his grandchildren. Joe and Jan enjoyed travelling around the world with friends and family. He was a passionate Boston sports fan and enjoyed all their victories and championships.
Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home 482 Main St. (RT28) STONEHAM Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 9 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Joseph’s Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10 am. Interment Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.
Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Friday, August 13, 2021, from 4 pm to 8 pm. Parking attendants and elevator available.
Please consider donations in memory of Joseph to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
