Obituary for Michael Barbato
Michael Barbato, age 101, of Sayreville passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at JFK Hospital, Edison. For the past three years, Mr. Barbato was a resident of New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park, NJ. Born in Petralia Sottana, Sicily, to parents Carmelo and Gandolfa (Volante) Barbato, he emigrated to the United States in 1921 and lived in the Ironbound (Down Neck) section of Newark until moving to Sayreville in 1985. Mr. Barbato lived a full life. When he was 18 years old, he played a season of Semi Professional Football in Newark and was a proud US Army Veteran serving during World War II from 1942 to 1945, taking part in the North Africa and Italian campaigns. He was a charter member of the Italian American War Veterans Post 8, Newark. Michael owned and operated a luncheonette in Newark prior to serving in WWII. Before his retirement in 1975, he worked as a lumber grader for Weyheuser and later as a warehouseman for Consolidated Freightways and was a member of the Longshoreman’s and Teamsters Unions. Mr. Barbato will be remembered fondly for his affable and outgoing personality. Mr. Barbato was an avid gardener and pinochle player; later in life, he enjoyed weekly trips to Atlantic City with dear friends.
He is predeceased by his loving wife Elvira (Tucci); his sisters Suzy Portella, Jenny Mascola, Josie Monticchio, Lucy Kaplan, and Carmella Ventre; his brothers Pat Barbato, Bernard Barbato, and Charles Barbato. Surviving are his daughter Evelyn and her husband Raymond Kersting, and his son Carmen Michael and his wife Christina Barbato; his grandchildren Mary Kate Kersting, Lauren Barbato, Lee Ann Hernandez, and Michael Barbato; his great-grandchildren Brittany and Brad Perkins; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday 9:15am at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home, 15 Cherry Lane, Parlin, NJ with a 10am funeral Mass being offered at Our Lady of Victories R.C. Church, Sayreville. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm. Masks are required while in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Michael’s name to Fisher House Foundation. https://fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
Completed arrangements, directions, and letters of condolence to the family may be found by visiting www.spezzifuneralhome.com.
He is predeceased by his loving wife Elvira (Tucci); his sisters Suzy Portella, Jenny Mascola, Josie Monticchio, Lucy Kaplan, and Carmella Ventre; his brothers Pat Barbato, Bernard Barbato, and Charles Barbato. Surviving are his daughter Evelyn and her husband Raymond Kersting, and his son Carmen Michael and his wife Christina Barbato; his grandchildren Mary Kate Kersting, Lauren Barbato, Lee Ann Hernandez, and Michael Barbato; his great-grandchildren Brittany and Brad Perkins; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday 9:15am at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home, 15 Cherry Lane, Parlin, NJ with a 10am funeral Mass being offered at Our Lady of Victories R.C. Church, Sayreville. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm. Masks are required while in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Michael’s name to Fisher House Foundation. https://fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
Completed arrangements, directions, and letters of condolence to the family may be found by visiting www.spezzifuneralhome.com.