Howard Barbash

Howard Barbash December 18, 1943 – December 6, 2024
Killington Howard Barbash passed peacefully on December 6, 2024 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care at DHMC following a long but hard-fought battle with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). His wife, Connie, was with him during this time as she had always been during their 41 years of "blissful" marriage. Howie was born in December 1943 and was educated in Brooklyn and Queens, NY. He proudly served in the Army 101st Airborne Division. After his military duty, he worked for Pan American Airways before moving to AT&T from which he retired in 1998.
It was during a day of hang-gliding with a group of Howie's friends that he met Connie. They ultimately married on October 30, 1983 which was a great party for the times. They continued the good times with friends for years to come: at their first home in Westchester County, NY then moving to Morris County, NJ and finally to Killington, VT. They hosted the annual "Bar-Bash" at their homes for 20+ years. Traveling to VT became a road trip that many friends were hesitant to make as they got older, so the parties ended after one final blowout in Vermont. A good time was had by all.
Howie introduced Connie to skiing in the early 1980's. They shared that passion until Covid when they both hung up their skis.
During the warmer months, Howie enjoyed chasing the little white ball around 18 holes at Green Mountain National Golf Course in Killington. He played with the same fellows he skied with. Howie loved the walk, and ultimately, the ride around the beautiful fairways, greens and gardens at GMNGC.
They enjoyed traveling. As part of his last job at AT&T, Howie worked in the International group, traveling to many of the countries that are in the news today: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and others. The couple also enjoyed road trips, alternating between cross-country to CA and trips to FL - both locations having friends and family that they enjoyed visiting while they explored the wonders of this beautiful country. Their travels also included ski trips to Canada and the Western ski resorts; trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Bermuda and various Caribbean islands which were mostly visited by windjammer cruises. In 2009, they adopted 2 kittens from the RCHS in Pittsford. As navigators of the road trips, the kitties were quite well traveled and loved walking on their leashes when it was time for a pit stop.
In 2018, Howie was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (a genetic disease which he shared with his mother, older sister and younger brother). He started dialysis at the Fresenius Dialysis center in Lebanon, NH. December 2019 saw Howie and Connie bring his dialysis treatments into their home; sessions were every other day until November 2024.
Howie is predeceased by his parents, Yetta and Philip Barbash; his older sister Sonya; younger brother Julian; and the 2nd love of his life, "the kitay", Howard's kitty & navigator. He is survived by his wife, Connie and his youngest sister, Roberta as well as several nieces and nephews.
Howie and Connie are grateful to the medical staff at DHMC and the Jack Byrne Center for their caring and compassionate support - they will be missed as part of our lives. And to the team at Fresenius: thank you, thank you. You were our constant support and you will be missed.
Visiting hours will be held at Clifford Funeral Home on Thursday, December 12 from 3:00PM to 5:00PM with a Funeral Service at 5:00PM.
Arrangements are under the direction Clifford Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Rutland County Humane Society, https://rchsvt.org/