James Barbella Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOCATION

Oceanside, New York

'He Would Never Give Up'
James W. Barbella was a former United States marine, and that made certain of his habits ‹ the day-to-day decisions he'd be likely to make, the course he might be expected to take in a crisis ‹ quite predictable, said his widow, Monica.

It was not enough, for example, for Mr. Barbella, a 53-year-old property manager for the Port Authority, to simply climb 110 flights of stairs during his fitness routine, which he often fitted into his lunch hour. That would be wimpy. Instead, he would go down all the way to the subbasement of the World Trade Center and begin his climb there. And it was also not enough to simply climb to the top. He would descend by the stairs as well.

Mr. Barbella, who was responsible for floors 9 to 40 in the south tower, lived in Oceanside, N.Y., on Long Island, and had worked for the Port Authority for 28 years. He was last seen ushering three police officers up the stairs during the evacuation of the Trade Center just before its collapse.

"I knew, as soon as I heard, that that's exactly where he would be," Mrs. Barbella said. "He would never give up."

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my grandma (your cousin margret) told me stories about you and how you died a hero. when i was about nine i believe, me and my little brother found your name at the 9/11 memorial and laid a piece of paper over it and colored on it so that it would leave the imprint of your name on the paper, that piece of paper is now framed in my grandma’s house. i never got to know you personally, but i feel like i do, the way our family talks about you, the way all the world talks about you, i feel as...

Hailey

January 05, 2025 | Family

May his memory be a blessing

Laura

September 11, 2024 | MD

This picture of Jimmy and his good friend "Tee" was taken in 1966, in the school yard where we used to hang out in the old neighborhood. R.I.P. guys !

One of the "coolest", cutest, and nicest guys in the neighborhood.

Vicky (Molinaro) Damato

October 15, 2021 | Delray Beach, FL | Friend

Remembering James on the 20th anniversary of 9/11....

Cindy Roe

August 31, 2021

James Barbella was my good girlfriends dad. His daughter Jo-Ann a beautiful person waited day by day to hear news about her dad on the days following 911
She had huge hope as did the family and all friends that they would get another call from him.
I remember going to their home in Oceanside NY to see her and her family. We sat in the backyard trying to comprehend what had happened. I will never forget the pain in their faces and my friend Jo-Ann who felt and looked so lost....

Donna Deluca Digiacomo

September 14, 2016 | Las Vegas, NV

Sounds like a wonderful man was lost that day. Today I lift up my prayers to all of Jimmy's friends and family and try to honor his memory by being kind and helpful to my fellow man. Love from Texas,

Del Newberry

October 26, 2015 | Garland, TX

I had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with Jimmy and Monica for a short time in my life. A better man with a stronger character is hard to find. God bless and may you rest In peace, Jimmy

Maria Scarpinito-Quail

September 10, 2015 | NY

I knew Jimmy Barbella from Flatbush Bklyn.11226 where we grew up Holy Cross School when I did go, I knew and liked/hungout with his brother Frankie also, I think they both went to nam not sure, he saved me more then once from being bullied/beatup by guys we knew and hung with he could hold himself/kickazz no one would wanna fight him, I was no angel out of them all either but I didn't like to fight, but jimmy had a way with words that said stop it without saying it, a confidence that made him...

John F. O'Brien

September 11, 2013 | Formally 11226, NT

I was very touched by this man and his life. His love for where he worked, and those he tried to save.Talk about being in the moment, and one pointed on something...' A true warrior. There should be more compassionate people like James W. Barbella in this world... My thoughts go out to him, and his family.

Michele Black

September 06, 2013 | Minneapolis, MN

James W. Barbella

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