Please visit the following link for livestream of the service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCL8bHXps5g
Giuseppe (Joe) Barbaro passed away suddenly on Friday November 24th 2023 at the age of 90.
His family was the apple of his eye, his greatest pride and joy.
He is predeceased by his loving wife of 59 years Rosa Domenica (Rosita ) and his loving parents Francesco Barbaro and Angela De Mariano.
He was a good father and will be greatly missed by his children Angela (R.J.), Rita (Joe), Frank (Bonnie), Gianni (Chantel), Giuseppe and ex-daughter-in-law Paula. He was a most loving Nonno Joe and will also be very missed by his grandchildren King (formerly Anthony), Maria, Justin (Amanda), Christian, Mia (Adam), Dante, Brianna, Madeline, Jackson, Rosa, Dominica (Joey), Estella, and his great grandchildren Eyadien, Giavanna and Rayna.
He was much loved by his siblings – brothers Nino (Rosetta) and Franco (Maria), and sisters Giuseppina, the late Enza (the late Carmelo), Fortunata (Gregorio), Maria (the late Mimo), and many nieces and nephews near and abroad.
Giuseppe was born March 24, 1933 in Santa Lucia del Mela, Sicily. He was the second of 7 children born just one year after his brother Nino. Those were times of war and hunger and after losing his father at age 10, and his siblings needing to be scattered among family and the church, he started working for a neighbour right away to help bring a little food home to his family when he could. It is said that is when he began learning to cook, a lifelong love and duty for him. When he joined the army at age 21 he continued as a soldier and a cook.
He married Rosita in 1963 and they started a family right away. He worked as a chef in a hotel in Milazzo , Sicily until he, his wife and 3 young children immigrated to Barrie, Ontario in October 1968 in search of a better life. He began working at the Pizzeria Italia for his family where he continued his skills as a chef for 35 plus years until a knee injury forced him to retire. He continued to cook for loved ones and friends and many personal support workers until last year when his mobility declined.
There is never enough time to spend with the ones you love. He was a man of service and always worked hard and made sure his family was taken care of, never forgetting that others might need a helping hand or a box of chocolates.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Barrie Food Bank to continue his legacy of helping other put food on their tables, or a charity of your choice.
Special thank you to Dr. Mike McConvey for his kindness and care for many decades.
Visitation will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie on Thursday, November 30th, 2023 from 7-9 PM, and on Friday, December 1st from 12:30 PM until the time we celebrate Giuseppe’s life in the Chapel at 1:30 PM. Following his interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, guests are invited back to the funeral home for a reception gathering in the lounge.
Online memories and condolences may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com