Michael V. Barbetta

Michael Vincent Barbetta was born on March 4th, 1947, to Joseph and Theresa Barbetta. His childhood was spent on Overpeck Ave. in Ridgefield Park, NJ. In that house, he and his 4 siblings were raised with love, values, and one bathroom.

The brilliant young Mike attended St. Francis School, where he created lifelong friendships. He went on to St. Joseph's High School, where he was involved with ROTC and, upon graduating, received a scholarship to the Newark College of Engineering (the current NJIT).

Mike, believing he was smarter than his instructors, decided there was more out there to discover in the world. Economics and finance became his thing and he eventually earned his undergraduate degree from St. Peter's College.

It was around this time that he met, and fell in love with, Kathleen Scrittorale.

They married on February 21, 1970. While working full time, Mike went to night school and earned his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Mike and Kathy (or Micky and Katie as they were known to call each other), bought their first home in Passaic NJ, and welcomed their two daughters: Kristin and Stacey.

They raised their daughters in the same way that they were raised: with love, values and one (and a half) bathrooms.

Throughout his career, Mike worked for Thomas J Lipton, United Jersey Bank, The Resolution Trust Corporation, and Citigroup, along with many other financial institutions in New York and New Jersey.

Mike retired in 2010 and was ready to begin enjoying life at Four Seasons of Great Notch, a 55+ adult community (or as he referred to it: "an active adult community" when his daughter, Kristin teased him about moving into a retirement village.)

Life at the Four Seasons was grand.

And then, in 2013, Kathleen passed away.

Mike found happiness and love again with his second wife, Jeanne Brooks. Together they travelled, enjoyed life, and built great memories with their family and friends.

He took great joy and interest in the education and careers of his daughters, and delighted in walking them down the aisles on their wedding days.

He loved the ocean, cooking, The New York Times Crossword Puzzle (in pen), Rocky and Bullwinkle, cars (fast, classic ones), and music. He was just as happy listening to Mozart's Requiem as he was sitting in Giant Stadium while the Grateful Dead performed (a Barbetta gift he shared with his brothers and daughters). He could find the same joy eating a burger at the counter at White Manna, as he could dining in a 4 star establishment.

He was known to crack an irreverent joke at the most unexpected time, often followed with a trademark Mike grin. His mind was full of both useful and useless information, which he loved sharing with everybody.

His attention to detail, meticulous nature, and eye for perfection enabled him to put the finishing touches on all of his homes. He found great joy in wood working and refinishing furniture. His love and talent created environments of beauty for his family to thrive and grow.

When asked about regrets, he had a few, namely never seeing Sinatra perform live.

Mike lived life His Way.

Mike died early in the morning on January 26th, 2026.

He was a cancer fighter and never once complained.

Mike's life and memory will continue to live on through all who loved him. His wife Jeanne Brooks, daughter Kristin Barbetta, daughter Stacey Bruce and husband Eric, his brothers Paul Barbetta and wife Mary Lou, Joseph Barbetta, John Barbetta and wife Jean, and his sister Teresa Miller. In addition, he was blessed with nieces and nephews and an extended bonus family brought to him through his life with Jeanne- Stephen and Arlene Brooks and Peter, Jessica, Aden and Avery Brooks. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Theresa Barbetta, his wife Kathleen Scrittorale Barbetta, and his son-in-law Sean Cumiford.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to the amazing doctors and care teams at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Hackensack University Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude's Research Hospital or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 30, 2026 at 9:15 am from the funeral home followed by a 10:00 am Mass at St. Clare R.C. Church, 69 Allwood Road, Clifton, NJ. The committal service will be held at East Ridgelawn Cemetery Mausoleum, 255 Main Avenue, Clifton. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall section of the online obituary.