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ROBERT BARBARY Obituary

BARBARY, Robert Alfred Of Scituate, passed away on April 29, 2021, peacefully, at the Pat Roche Hospice House in Hingham, MA. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Helen Barbary, his brother, William, and his wife of 50 years, Joan Barbary (n?e Costello.) He is survived by his wife, Grace Joanne (Crowley) Barbary (n?e Dutelle). He is also survived by his six children, Paula (Patrick) Shannon of Baie-D'Urf?, Quebec, Maura (Janice) Barbary of Marshfield, MA, Kevin (Deborah) Barbary of Scituate, MA, Brian (Kay) Barbary of San Antonio, TX, Joanne (Jeffrey) Goguen of Gray, ME, and Kathleen (Randall) Lambert of Nashua, NH, and his grandchildren, James, Liam, and Conor Shannon, Kevin (Rebecca) and Sean Barbary, Justin and Emily Barbary, Robert and Katherine Morency, and Elizabeth Janiak. He will also be missed by Joanne's children, Jay (Lisa) Crowley, John (Kerri) Crowley, and Janet (Joseph) Donato, as well as their children, Lucas Crowley, and Aidan and Maddie Crowley.

Robert was born in Pittsburgh, PA, where he attended North Catholic High School and played guard for the Trojans' football team. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, class of 1955, where he played football for the Midshipmen. One highlight of his active duty service, after completing his degree, was to serve on the USS Heermann (DD-532) and stand as Honor Guard at the wedding of Princess Grace and Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. He was subsequently stationed at the Naval Air Station South Weymouth, at which time he met his future wife, Joan, and settled on the South Shore, first in Merrymount and then in his beloved Scituate. Bob received his MBA in 1971 from Boston College, and went on to have a successful career in the burgeoning high-tech industry. It would be a coin toss to state whether his allegiance and pride in having attended the Naval Academy was outrivaled by his support for Boston College football through the years. One thing is certain: in early December, "Go Navy!" was the only appropriate cheer in the Barbary household.

Bob's greatest achievements came post-retirement: his work in the church and the community spanned many activities and programs. Parishioner of the Year in 2010, Bob was an active member of St. Mary of the Nativity Parish of Scituate where he will be dearly missed. He participated as a daily communicant, Lector, Parish Council member, and Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference member. His faith and his parish provided great comfort to him during both trying times and good. A veteran supporter of youth sports, and a seasoned coach, Bob never missed his grandchildren's sporting events. There were weekends that saw him drive from the cross-country trails at Thayer Academy to the gridiron at Milton Academy and Williams College, or from Scituate to the hockey rinks at Phillips Exeter Academy. He had recently added curling to his routine, and had become surprisingly proficient in all things rocks, bonspiels, and brooms.

Bob cherished golfing. He was always eager for spring and his return to Men's League at Widow's Walk Golf Course. He regaled us with tales of competitions and wagers that seemed to imply high stakes; we knew, of course, that the amounts exchanged were meager, and much beside the point.

Bob will be remembered as having led an exemplary life of duty, honor, and decency. His love and commitment to family, whose numbers were extended again when he married Joanne in 2011, defined him. A deeply principled man, Bob's dignity was respected by friends and family. His work ethic was unparalleled, and successfully passed down through two generations. While his grandchildren may never know the abject terror of color-coded chore charts (once a Midshipman always a Midshipman), they all experienced the wonderful warmth of his encouraging Bravo Zulu.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, Scituate, MA, at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 6th. Visitation will be held from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road in SCITUATE. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pat Roche Hospice House, c/o the NVNA and Hospice Charitable Fund, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061, or the Scituate Community Christmas, 125 Mann Lot Road, Scituate, MA 02066. For online guestbook, www.richardsongaffeyfuneralhome.com Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home

781-545-0196

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from May 2 to May 3, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT BARBARY

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Eric Binder

December 31, 2024

Bob was one of the finest people I have ever met. Honest, diligent, reliable. I worked for him for three years, knew him longer. The world is smaller without his presence.

Richard L Houze

March 12, 2022

Sorry to hear, of late, of Robert's passing. He was my cousin. He and his brother Bill and parants visited my family many times in Point Marion, Pa. I have fond memories of Bob. Rest in peace.

Kathryn Chipman

May 8, 2021

Mr. B is someone who was so dear to me. He was a wonderful father, husband, and friend. He lived a life of faith, honor, compassion, and family dedication. His Xmas card was always the first one I received every year. I loved that he called me daughter #5 and I truly felt like he was a second dad to me. I am so happy to have reconnected with Mr. B soon before his passing and I will miss this wonderful man. Sending love and hugs to the entire Barbary clan.

Brad Whiite

May 6, 2021

Dear Barbary family,

So sorry for your loss. What a NAVY hero and treasure to our community.

Thank you Bob for all that you did.

Sadly,
Brad White

Mike Casey

May 4, 2021

Mr. Barbary,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served with the USN during the Cold War. Millions of Americans slept safe at night because you and your fellow Servicemen stood ready to defend our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

The Staff of Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home

May 4, 2021

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

S Chambers

May 3, 2021

My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in your treasured memories and Gods promise to return our loved ones. 1st Thessalonians 4:13 & 14 .

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Memorial Events
for ROBERT BARBARY

May

6

Visitation

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home

382 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA 02066

May

6

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

St. Mary of the Nativity Church

1 Kent Street, Scituate, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home

382 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA 02066

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