John Edward Barbey, Jr. January 26, 1917 - December 4, 2018 LA JOLLA John Edward Barbey, Jr., at almost 102 years old, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2018 in La Jolla, California, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Reading, PA and moved to La Jolla, CA in 1955 where he has resided ever since. John was a loving and humorous husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He grew up primarily in Reading, PA, attending and graduating from The Hill School. He went on to enroll as a student in Babson College School of Business Administration and Wesleyan University. Thereafter, he worked for his father, John E. Barbey, (Founder of Vanity Fair Corp. an apparel manufacturing company). He held a variety of positions including regional sales representative, secretary, and treasurer. While serving as a sales representative in Illinois, he met Grace Louise Bull, whom he married in 1945. Together, they had three children; John E. Barbey III, Todd B. Barbey, (with grandsons Daniel and Nathanael, great-grandson Kalen), Susan Barbey Booth, (with granddaughter Cameron). John is survived by all of the above. John and Grace enjoyed 42 years of marriage until Grace passed in 1987. In 1992, John married Eleanor Sullivan whom he loved for the past 26 years in La Jolla.John is survived by Eleanor (Nonnie) and her son, John D. Sullivan, Jr., and daughter, Laurel Korholz, other daughter, Kathleen Rogers (deceased).He enjoyed dancing to big band music, sailing, yachting, skiing, and cycling. He aptly referred to himself as "Sir Dance A Lot", and readily expressed his joy of life with quips and antics that brought life and laughter to all he met. He amassed decades of ocean sailing trophies for his victories across many competitions in handicap races up and down the coast. As a philanthropist, he gave to many charities which, to just name a few, included: Scripps Memorial Hospital (Barbey Emergency and Trauma Center), La Jolla Presbyterian Church, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Father Joe's Villages, The Bishop School, and Crew Classic.John will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His ability to make everyone he met feel loved and cared about will never be forgotten and neither will he.His memorial service will be held Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 11:00 am at La Jolla Presbyterian Church. All are invited. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight .

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Published by La Jolla Light from Dec. 13, 2018 to Jan. 3, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for John Barbey

Sponsored by El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley and El Camino Memorial Park and Mortuaries (Sorrento Valley).

33 Entries

Michael Pampanin

September 24, 2023

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Michael T. Pampanin

September 24, 2023

Mr Barbey was a great man for all he did for the community of La Jolla and charitable contributions he made to many organizations. I was fortunate to have known him for several years. His values towards life will live on with me for my lifetime. He was a true legend!

Tom Hooker Barbey and Issey

Issey Irwin

December 14, 2019

He will be sadly missed.

Joel Knoblauch

February 20, 2019

Dear Family of John Barbey,
I was saddened to learn of Mr Barbey's passing. I offer my condolences.
Mr Barbey was such a pleasant and lively person. I enjoyed reminiscing with him at the Beach & Racquet Club, about old Reading (PA), and exchanging Reading family recollections.
may his memory and spirit for life brighten the hearts of many.
Love to all,
Joel Knoblauch

January 8, 2019

To John's family and friends, please take comfort in each other during this sad time. My deepest sympathies go out to you all.

January 7, 2019

I am deeply sorry for your loss
May fond memories of happy peaceful times soothe your heart
and give you hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
C D

Margo Schwab

January 6, 2019

A positive man, with a keen love of faith, family, friends and the sea... great wit, great dancer...kind.

January 5, 2019

As a member of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club Mr. Barbey
would take his seat on the patio for lunch and would be delighted to greet a friend just stopping by to say hello. His interests kept him close to the club, as he would ride his bike down the beach, and circle back to his beautiful home just a walk away from the club.

His summers were spent on his other passion, the ocean as he with his full crew would escort him by dingy to his ship that awaited his arrival. Sunsets and the sounds of the ocean were never taken for granted as he was generous with sharing with others what he so appreciated.

Mr. Barbey was a class act, a gentleman who embraced his success, by giving too others in need. My father once told me "Life is short, but long enough." Mr. Barbey lived by that expression, he embraced life and lived it too it's fullest.

Another star is in heaven now, and what a bright light he brings to all of us that knew him.

Sincerely,
Amy Lynn Van Buskirk

January 4, 2019

I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Remember that praying to God for endurance will help the process of recovery. Psalm 146:9

Brett Buffington

January 4, 2019

With our love and deepest sympathy as we remember an Extraordinary man. As a kid growing up at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club I use to love seeing John ride is bike down the beach sporting his fantastical outfits.

And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.Abraham Lincoln

John got both...Much love Brett, Kimberly and Tatum

Katie G

January 2, 2019

The span of our life is 70 years. Or 80 because of special mightiness. (Psalms 90:10) John was blessed with 101 years of special mightiness. Please accept my condolences and may God who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts all who mourn sustain your family during this challenging time. (Isaiah 61:1, 2)

Daniel Henry

January 1, 2019

John was a lifelong acquaintance, having grown up in Reading, PA as as a boy with my father, Daniel E. Henry. Our family legend has it that as kids both John and Dan were enrolled in the same ballroom dance class together.

My parents, Dan and Wanda, retired and moved back to La Jolla from Venezuela in 1972, where they had the wonderful opportunity to renew their frequent and always enjoyable contact with John and his family. When my mother, Wanda, passed in 1998, John was kind enough to take us out on his yacht to scatter my mother's ashes at sea. When my father, Dan, passed 9 years later, John was dutifully at his memorial service as well.

Our family will always remember John with great affection.

A. H.

December 31, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Paul Maidhof

December 30, 2018

It is sad to learn of his passing. For many years (decades actually) Mr. Barbey would patronize our family marine business.. He was always a joy to see each time... full of humor and words of wisdom. He was a very special character whom touched my life in always a positive way. Rest In Peace Mr. Barber.

Paul M.
La Jolla

December 28, 2018

With deepest sympathy for your loss. Please know that those who pass away, God keep in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15.

Carrie Pas

December 27, 2018

I am truly and deeply sorry for your Loss. My warmest condolences go out to the family and friends of John. May the God of all comport Grant you peace and strength during difficult time (Psalm 91:11).

A. H.

December 26, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

December 26, 2018

Please accept my deep expressions of sympathy. May the loving memories you've shared continue to warm your heart. Psalms 116:15

December 24, 2018

May you and your family find comfort in God's love. John 3:16 states this love and hope for the future. As you draw ever closer to God, may you find comfort in his words.

Lizz

December 24, 2018

My heartfelt sympathies go out to your family during this difficult time. I hope the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring much comfort. Just knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.

Lee Lambert

December 23, 2018

John will be missed dearly. He was a sweet person. It was neat one day a number of years ago when he allowed me to come up to the 2nd floor of his house so I could take some sea view pictures for an internet story I was working on. I know his two sons and daughter will miss him but he is in a better place today (after giving his life to Christ some time ago).

December 22, 2018

Sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort care for your hearts during this time of mourning. He will comfort you and he will make you strong ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17.

December 22, 2018

I am truly sorry for your loss, may you find comfort in God's loving promises. Daniel 12:13

Wendy Endsley

December 18, 2018

We at Father Joe's Villages are saddened to learn of Mr. Barbey's passing and hope fond memories of his long and distinguished life will bring solace to his wife and children. He was a pillar of San Diego's philanthropic community and helped so many people in need. We are grateful. ~Wendy Endsley, for Father Joe's Villages

December 18, 2018

John was a long time member of Mission Bay Yacht Club. It was always inspiring to see John at our Club with his family and friends. In later years it was mostly a visit for lunch on our deck and then watching his group enjoy various boating & aquatic activities in Santa Barbara Cove on a warm sunny afternoon. Always a smile and a positive word - we will miss him.

December 16, 2018

My deepest condolences to family and friends.

December 15, 2018

My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you during your time of sorrow. (Psalm 145:19)

Lee Wells

December 14, 2018

John was great fun with many wonderful stories. He liked rotissorie chicken, chocolate and Sonoma Coutrer Chardonnay.
He lived life to the fullest.

S P

December 13, 2018

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God strengthen you and may the memories of your loved one comfort you throughout this difficult time (Hosea 13:14)

John Bryan

December 12, 2018

I nice, classy man who always greeted me as if he knew me as more than an acquaintance.

December 11, 2018

I remember John frolicking on his bike in his plaid suit. He always enjoy speaking French with me and was super generous to our catering staff when they worked for him. Bon Voyage.
Michel Malecot

Ray Velchek

December 11, 2018

Each April, it was a treat to meet Mr. Barbey at the Crew Classic. No matter the weather, racing competition, crowds, or other issues that would cause me worry, his ever-cheerful smile would always right my ship. In later years, after my presidency, I'd always seek him out - not as a mere courtesy, but rather selfishly; he would ALWAYS put a great spin on life. Perhaps the dominant words in his U-T obit are, "joy of life with quips and antics." Shorts and knee socks, indeed! RIP

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