WESTFIELD – Wayne Bruce Barber, 68, a sixty five year Westfield resident, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Noble Hospital. He was born in Springfield on January 19, 1946, a son of the late Charles and Helen (Austin) Barber. He attended Westfield schools and was a graduate of Westfield Trade School and a communicant of St. Peter and St. Casimir Parish. He retired from the former Strathmore Paper Company after many years of service.
Wayne enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it be gardening, camping, wood working, creating his next big project, or just relaxing and enjoying a cold beverage on a warm summer day. His daughters will remember many childhood summer nights spent hunting night crawlers, learning to cast their very first bobber and line with the skilled fisherman. He taught them to bait their first hooks, ride their first bicycle, drive their first automobile, and how to root for the Patriots and Red Sox while watching their first professional sports game. Above all, Wayne instilled in them a sense of pride, loyalty, hard work, dedication, integrity, independence, and respect for themselves.
Wayne will always be remembered for his wit and dry humor, his uncanny ability to make everyone laugh in any situation, his calmness and reason in times of strife or turmoil, and his ability to bring wisdom and order to life when it felt chaotic and overwhelming.
He is survived by his beloved wife of forty six years, Lynda (Mucha) Barber; three daughters, Kimberly Barber of Westfield, Kelly Barber and her fiance Scott Slater of Connecticut, and Keri Barber of Washington State. He also leaves his brother, Donald Barber and his wife Rosalie of Russell; beloved sister, Beverly MacDonald of West Springfield, and will be sadly missed by his granddaughter, Kayla Barber and several nieces and nephews, including his feline companion, Timon. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Barber.
Relatives and friends are requested to meet at St. Peter and St. Casimir Parish, 24 State Street, Westfield, on Saturday, February 22nd for period of visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The Legacy Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Wayne enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it be gardening, camping, wood working, creating his next big project, or just relaxing and enjoying a cold beverage on a warm summer day. His daughters will remember many childhood summer nights spent hunting night crawlers, learning to cast their very first bobber and line with the skilled fisherman. He taught them to bait their first hooks, ride their first bicycle, drive their first automobile, and how to root for the Patriots and Red Sox while watching their first professional sports game. Above all, Wayne instilled in them a sense of pride, loyalty, hard work, dedication, integrity, independence, and respect for themselves.
Wayne will always be remembered for his wit and dry humor, his uncanny ability to make everyone laugh in any situation, his calmness and reason in times of strife or turmoil, and his ability to bring wisdom and order to life when it felt chaotic and overwhelming.
He is survived by his beloved wife of forty six years, Lynda (Mucha) Barber; three daughters, Kimberly Barber of Westfield, Kelly Barber and her fiance Scott Slater of Connecticut, and Keri Barber of Washington State. He also leaves his brother, Donald Barber and his wife Rosalie of Russell; beloved sister, Beverly MacDonald of West Springfield, and will be sadly missed by his granddaughter, Kayla Barber and several nieces and nephews, including his feline companion, Timon. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Barber.
Relatives and friends are requested to meet at St. Peter and St. Casimir Parish, 24 State Street, Westfield, on Saturday, February 22nd for period of visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The Legacy Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be direction to the family to help defray expenses. Please visit legacy-funeralhome.com for more information.
