Max Barber

Barber, Max

Max Barber passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 68. He was predeceased by his father O. Cleon Barber of Chenango Bridge. Max is survived by his mother Dorothy of Chenango Bridge, his sister Lolleen (Dale) White of Alpharetta, GA; his three brothers: Dan (Florence) Barber of Rochester, NY, Jay (Susan) Barber of Tallahassee, FL and Jon Barber of Stamford, NY; his loving partner Mari Smazal of Denver, CO; his best friends Dana (Kathi) Holcomb of Chenango Bridge and Dick (Michelle) Leahy of Raleigh, NC; his three sons: Topher (Chelsea) Barber of Broomfield, CO; Todd Barber, Tyler (Lisa) Barber and grandson Lincoln of Marco Island, FL. Max grew up in Chenango Bridge, NY and graduated from Chenango Valley High School in 1963 and Cornell University in 1969. While attending Cornell, Max took a year off from his studies to find himself and discover America in his bright, red Austin Healy 3000. He accomplished both goals by meeting many people who became life-long friends and experiencing many adventures that included working in a West Virginia coal mine and as a ranch hand in Jackson Hole, WY where he fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. Max began an entrepreneurial career as a building contractor and land developer in Ithaca, NY. After graduating from Cornell, Max became an airplane pilot and frequently towed banners over Schoellkopf Field during Cornell football games in his bi-plane. Max then ventured west to Davenport, IA where he spent several years building homes during the housing boom in the Quad Cities area. Eventually Max settled further west in Denver, CO where he honed his creative and artistic carpentry skills by re-habbing old office space. Max became a popular and sought after contractor at the Denver Merchandise Mart where he created many unique display areas for western wear companies to market their cowboy boots, hats and clothing. In the fall of 1997, Max realized another dream when he opened Hemmingway's Key West Grille, a Denver restaurant that he had spent five long years working

nights and weekends to build. In 2006, Max received a letter from the Hemmingway estate insisting that the name be changed, so the eatery operates today under the name of Max Gill and Grill. Several years later, Max opened a second restaurant, The Melting Pot, in Louisville, CO, after making extensive renovations to a building resembling an old western mine shaft. While Max was a hard worker, he also made time to enjoy life. When his three sons were young, Max purchased a cabin retreat in the mountains of Grand Lake, CO, where he and his boys Tyler, Todd and Topher enjoyed time together sailing and recreating outdoors. It was here, during a midnight hockey game on New Year's Eve, that Max risked his own life to save two snowmobilers who had fallen through the ice on Grand Lake. Max was given the National Association for Search and Rescue Valor Award later that year as a result of his heroic effort. In recent years, Max also purchased properties in Marco Island, FL and near Lyon, France where he entertained many of his friends and family. Max lived an amazing life that he shared with everyone around him through his masterful storytelling that constantly kept you on the edge of your seat and always left you laughing. Max was a sensitive, kind, gentle and tender man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A special celebration of Max's life for his Colorado area family and friends is scheduled for mid-February 2014 in Denver. A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 11, 2014 at the Chenango Bridge United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM for Max's New York area friends and family.