Robert Barbieri

Robert Barbieri, longtime Pittston Area High School educator and football coach, died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, after several months of declining health.

Barbieri, known to many as just "Coach," was an all-scholastic athlete in football and basketball at Old Forge High School. He attended George Washington University, where he played football as an offensive lineman, playing in the North-South All Star Game under Paul "Bear" Bryant.

After college, he started his career as a physical education teacher and football coach at Pittston Area High School. As a football coach, he had a 159-100-4 record in a career that spanned over three decades. Under Barbieri's helm, Pittston Area High School won five Wyoming Valley Conference A Division Championships and one Eastern Conference Championship. He was a two-time Coach of the Year and coached the UNICO game twice. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2020.

Following his retirement from Pittston Area, he continued his love of football by joining the coaching staff at Wilkes University for several years. He leaves a teaching and coaching legacy that spans 40 years, in which he molded the lives of hundreds of athletes and students.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Henrietta Frati Barbieri; his parents, Nicholas Barbieri and Mary Markovitch Barbieri; and his nephew, Frank Wozniack.

He leaves behind his son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas Barbieri and Nina Barbieri; his daughter and son-in-law, Maria Barbieri Jarrell and Eric Jarrell; his sister and brother-in-law, Marie Barbieri Cherundolo and Charles Cherundolo; in-laws, Eleanor Bruno, Atillio "Butch" Frati; and Anita and Robert Brown; grandchildren, Mia, Nick and Rob Barbieri and Ellie Jarrell; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Robert's caregivers, Charline Milazzo, Tom Flemming and Jackie Ratchford for providing exemplary care to Robert during his decline and giving the family peace of mind, knowing that when they weren't with him, he was is in good and loving hands.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Robert's memory by making donations to Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit, 100 William St., Dunmore, PA 18510.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Graziano Funeral Home Inc., Pittston Twp.

Viewing hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Morello Parish (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church), Pittston. Officiate will be the Rev. Paul McDonnell O.S.J.

Those who plan on attending are asked to go directly to church the morning of the funeral.

Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

For information or to express your condolences to Robert's family, please visit www.GrazianoFuneralHome.com.