Dr. Guy F. Barbato

Dr. Guy F. Barbato passed away peacefully at home in Palmetto Bay, FL, on September 7, 2023, joining his wife of 59 years, Angela, in Heaven. He loved his family and was a devoted husband to the love of his life whom he met when he was 12 years old.

Born to Frank and Nancy Barbato in Newark, NJ, as their only child, Guy had older half-siblings on his mother’s side named Tommy, Betty, Millie and Mary, who predeceased him.

Guy attended Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, then went on to achieve his B.S. and M.S. Degrees from Seton Hall University. He began his career in education with the Union Township Board of Education, NJ, as a Biology teacher, offering the first Ecology class in NJ high schools. He then received his Ph.D. from Fordham University in N.Y. and his dissertation on ‘science education’ is still cited today. His concern for the community and profession led him to eventually become Principal and then Assistant Superintendent in Union. Throughout his career as an educator, Guy also was a Professor at Fordham University and Saint Peters University in Jersey City, NJ. After retiring from the Union Board of Education, Guy worked for the NJ State Department of Education until he decided to spend more time with his wife, Angela.

Guy and Angela were blessed with three sons, Guy, Fran and Joe, daughters-in-law, Theresa, Anita and Sally, respectively, eight grandchildren, one great grandson with another on the way, plus many nieces and nephews. They began their marriage in Newark, NJ, moved to Union, NJ, and finally settled in Palmetto Bay, Florida. Long Beach Island, NJ, was an important part of their family life as they enjoyed nearly seven decades on the island along with many other family members. Gramps, as he was called by his grandchildren, enjoyed working on a variety of home improvement and fix-it projects and teaching and sharing his love of science and animals. He loved Sunday dinners with his family, cookies for breakfast, hid M&Ms for when he had the urge for sweets and a good scotch at the end of the day. He was always up for a good joke and enjoyed teasing and laughing with his grandchildren.

Dr. Barbato’s viewing will be held at the McCracken Funeral Home in Union, NJ, on September 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. There will be a funeral Mass on Saturday, September 23 at 10:30am at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Union, NJ. In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honor Dr. Guy F. Barbato is requested to make a contribution to his/her favorite charity.