Ettore "Barb" Barbatelli Sr.

Barbatelli, Ettore, Sr. "Barb" Ettore Barbatelli was born to Eternal Life on July 15, 2013, surrounded by his children and caregivers at home in Mequon, WI. He was 89. The cause was a series of strokes. A resident of Palm Beach Florida, he spent summers in Wisconsin. He is survived by his four children: daughters Valentina, Lovedy Patricia and Elizabeth Louise Barbatelli, and son Ettore "Chess" (Gretchen) Barbatelli, Jr., seven grandchildren: Gina, Maria, Gabriel, Christopher, Victoria, Cristiana, Ettore III, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Lovedy, who died in 2010 and a brother, Attilio and sister, Annette. He will be deeply missed by family and friends. Barb, as he was known, had a long and distinguished business career. He and Lovedy founded Valuation Research Corporation in Milwaukee, WI in 1974 and was President or Chairman for 21 years. Prior to that, he was employed by American Appraisal Company from 1947 until 1974, becoming President and CEO. Barb served on numerous corporate, professional and civic boards including Johnson Controls Corporation, Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc, Colart Corporation, First Savings of Wisconsin, First Wisconsin Bank, Inc., National Assn. of Accountants (Chairman- 1971) (now Institute of Management Accounting), Mount Mary College, Wm. E. Simon School of Business at University of Rochester, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, and his Class of 1945 at Yale. Barb continued his Board leadership with the Florida Science Museum and the Norton Gallery of Fine Arts in Palm Beach Florida, leading expansions and building drives. Barb hailed from the Hill House neighborhood in New Haven, CT, and while accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy attended Yale University, graduating in 1947 with his '45W class, earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering. There he was a member of Davenport College and the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He was a licensed Professional Engineer and a Member of the American Society of Appraisers. Barb contributed greatly to clients, organizations, and friends' success through his business sense and broad knowledge of the strategic aspects of accounting, taxation, and finance. Needless to say, he was also the consummate salesman. Barb met Lovedy at a WWII USO dance. Following his return from a 40-month tour in the Asiatic Pacific theatre with the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers, they married in 1948, primarily living in New Jersey where they developed many life-long friends. Business advancement relocated them and their four children to Milwaukee in 1964. They became active in the community including the Milwaukee Art Museum, Repertory Theatre, and Florentine Opera. They were avid golfers at Milwaukee Country Club, where Barb later played bridge with friends. They resided in Gulfstream and Palm Beach where they enjoyed golf and comradery at the Everglades Club, and the Old Guard Society. They travelled worldwide, and in later years especially enjoyed the fall months in Tuscany and Umbria, and special visits to see relatives in his parents' native town. Barb leaves behind a devoted family who appreciate the loving wisdom, experiences, and strong values their parents shared with them. Likewise, many friends and colleagues share respect and admiration for rising from humble beginnings through hard work, intelligence, steadfast discipline, and friendship. Special thanks to caregiver Janice Listhrop for helping Barb and Lovedy for the past 10 years with at-home care and lively companionship, and to Dr. G.G Darien for his skills and caring attention. A memorial service will be held at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, on September 7, at 10:30 AM in lieu of a planned 90th birthday celebration. Barb will be interred in the burial garden at St. Christopher's where he worshipped and served for 50 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ettore's name may be made to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 7845 N. River Road, River Hills, WI 53217.