Steven Barbash

Steven Barbash
August 4, 1938-December 19, 2024
Steven Barbash passed away on December 19th at Highland Hospital following a brief illness. He was born in New York City, the son of Philip Barbash and Dr. Roslyn Weichsel Barbash. Steven was predeceased by his son Benjamin, and wife of 55 years, Ann. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Micah and Patricia Barbash; grandson Daniel; sister Dr. Babette Weksler; nieces and nephews; cousins; and his loving companion of the past 3 years, Sallie Jameson.
Steve grew up in Teaneck, NJ where he had the wonderful opportunity to attend many plays in New York City. Going to Broadway shows during the Golden Age of Musical Theater inculcated an everlasting love of all drama, especially the musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein. After graduation from Teaneck High School in 1956, he attended Amherst College, majoring in English and graduating in 1960. He met Ann Harshbarger in Greenwich Village and they were married on May 31, 1959. Steve then entered the Yale School of Drama to study playwrighting, earning his MFA in 1962. He was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship to study in Paris at the Sorbonne, based on his play "The Sphinx", written at Yale and produced at the Yale Repertory Theater. After living in Paris for a year, Steve and his family returned to New Jersey in 1964, where he worked as an editor in the publishing industry and then opened his own advertising agency.
In 1970 Steve accepted a copywriting position in direct mail advertising at the Lawyers' Co-operative Publishing Company and moved the family to Webster. In 1978 they moved to Victor, where
Steve resided for the rest of his life. He left LCP in 1980 and taught English at Monroe Community College and Finger Lakes Community College. In his mid-50s, Steve returned to school at Nazareth College to obtain his teaching certificate in secondary school English. He substitute taught for many years at a number of local school districts. Steve had a true talent with words and a lifelong fascination with the English language. He wrote poetry, drama, and prose. He was a reporter for the Victor Herald. As all who knew him can attest, Steve was a first class story teller. A supporter of all the arts, he attended Geva Theater, Syracuse Stage, and many Rochester International Jazz Festivals.
Steve and Ann were both breeders and AKC judges of German Shepherd dogs. They ran "Spotlite Shepherds" kennel for more than 50 years, raising many champions. They were long time members of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Rochester and the Genesee Valley Kennel Club, with Steve serving as President of both organizations. He also taught dog handling classes for many years.
In the 1990s, Steve and Ann opened "The Cobblestore", an antique store in East Victor in an historic 1837 Cobblestone General Store, specializing in animal art and collectibles.
Steve was also an active member of the Victor Democratic Party; running for Victor Town Supervisor and serving on the NYS Democratic Rural Caucus.
Steve upheld his fervently believed values of honesty, kindness, compassion, and social justice throughout his life. The impact he had on so many people truly made the world a better place. A son could have no better father. We all miss him greatly.
No Memorial Service will be held. Please remember Steve by sharing what he gave you during his life.