Anthony R. Barbella
Retired civil engineer, patriotic war veteran, devoted family man with a big smile and a bigger heart
Anthony (Tony) R. Barbella of Washington, N.J., passed away Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, after reaching the age of 93. He died peacefully at his home with his family by his side.
Anthony was born in the Bronx, N.Y., the son of Italian immigrants, Ida (Scatamacchia) and Frank Barbella.
As a young man, he served in the Army during World War II. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Clare O'Brien, an Irish Catholic girl from Brooklyn, N.Y., celebrating their wedding at Tavern on the Green. They lived together almost inseparably for over 60 years.
In the early times, he worked as a surveyor. While working and raising a family in Queens, N.Y., he went to night school where he obtained a civil engineering degree from Brooklyn Polytech (now New York University). He subsequently obtained professional engineering licenses in 30 states.
He worked on large construction projects throughout the U.S. and the Middle East and was involved with the construction of the original Tappan Zee Bridge and many deep underground structures. He worked for Griffin Dewatering Corporation for 25 years and subsequently worked for Barbella Environmental Technology Inc. well into his 70s.
Anthony and Clare lived in Old Tappan, N.J., and raised five children. Anthony was a strong patriarch of his family. He imparted to his kids the importance of family, education, religion, and had a never-ending quest for learning. He taught all his kids to ski, taking regular ski trips to New Hampshire and Vermont and later to Utah where he skied with his grandchildren until his late 70s.
He took up golf when he moved to Hawk Pointe in 2002. After retiring from engineering, he mastered stock option trading. He loved life, including the simple pleasures, among them red wine and Italian cheese.
He is survived by his loving wife, Clare; his sister, Ann Diliberto of Bethlehem, Pa.; his children, Frank Barbella of Lake Harmony Pa., Don and Sandra Barbella of Mission Viejo, Calif., Elizabeth and Ernie Renda of Flemington, N.J., Elaine and Roberto Trujillo of Rockville, Md., and Brian Barbella and fiancée Denise Martin of Flemington, N.J.. He is also survived by grandchildren, Daniele, Anthony, Kelsey, Ashley, Clare, Nicole, Daniel, Ernie, Jacquelyn, Valerie, Grace, Connor, Alex, Kevin, Joseph, and Allison and great-granddaughter, Rose and a host of loving nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Friday, Oct. 11 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton, N.J. 08809. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Ann, 32 Main St., Hampton, N.J. 08827. Interment will follow Mass in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Anthony's name may be made through In memory of, for the s Project at inmemof.org.
For further information or to share memories with the family please visit martinfh.com.