The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Thomas G. Barber

By

Cherry Plain – Thomas G. Barber, 79, of Cherry Plain Square, Cherry Plain, NY, died peacefully on Friday morning, June 25, 2010, at his residence surrounded by his loving family under the care of Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.
Born in Easton, NY, on June 3, 1931, he was the son of the late Thomas W. and Catherine Blake Barber. He was the loving husband of the former Ruth S. Sime, whom he married on June 16, 1956.
A lifelong resident of the Berlin/Cherry Plain area, Tom was a graduate of Berlin Central High School and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War for over four years. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was the owner of Thomas G. Barber Used Car Sales in Cherry Plain. For over 30 years he was employed by AT&T as a Technical Installer throughout the northeast. He also served as a managing consultant for a short time. He had retired due to health reasons.
Mr. Barber was a member of the American Legion Post #937 in Berlin where he served as Commander in 1974 – 1975 and again in 1977 – 1978. He was a member of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Company for over 17 years and served on the Board of Fire Commissioners. Tom was also a member and Trustee of the Cherry Plain Community Church. He loved to spend time in both Cape Cod and Florida.
He was very respected, admired and loved by all who knew him. He will be missed by his family, who will always cherish the time they had with him.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Ruth, his children, Steven W. and wife Jean Barber of Berlin, NY, and Carol A. Barber-Hartmann of Louisville, KY, his grandchildren, Ashley Barber of Louisville and Amanda (Nippes) Strock of Troy, NY, his great-grandchildren, Hudson Thomas Barber-Hurt, Jordan A. Maxfield and Tyler Joseph Strock, along with a great-aunt, Priscilla (Crandall) Comiskey of Watervliet, NY. He was pre-deceased by a grandson, Joseph Nippes, and a brother, Armand W. Barber.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday morning, June 30, at 11 am in the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, 66 Armsby Road, Petersburgh, NY, where Pastor Robert Michaels of the Cherry Plain Community Church officiated. Burial with full fire departmental and military honors followed in the Berlin Community Cemetery.
Relatives and friends were invited to the funeral home for visitation on Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm.
Tom’s family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory be given to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY, 12144.