Libero S (Sam) Barbara Obituary (1932 - 2023)

Libero S. (Sam) Barbara passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, surrounded by his family. Known to all as Sam, he was born on September 26, 1932, in Long Branch, NJ. He attended Long Branch public schools and Brookdale Community College. Sam served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War, where he was stationed at Camp Napunja in Okinawa. He retired in 2000 from the U.S. Postal Service. After meeting the love of his life in 1952, Sam married Joy Fimiani in 1958. Together they moved to Colts Neck, NJ, in 1968 and were communicants of The Parish of Saint Mary. Sam spent all 65 years of their marriage dedicated to Joy, their family, and their many English Springer Spaniels. Sam and Joy spent their retirement with their four grandchildren. A permanent fixture at the Colts Neck schools, St. Leo the Great School, and Red Bank Catholic High School, Sam was present at every school event, dance recital, sporting event, and graduation. Sam looked forward to his weekly trip to Monmouth Park Racetrack, where he spent Saturdays with his friends. He was a genuine people person who made friends everywhere he went. Sam was predeceased by his parents, Vincent James and Antoinette Barbara; sister Rose Dolecki; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Mary Barbara; sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Lawrence DeRogatis; sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Raymond Mancini; sister Angelina Barbara; and brother-in-law Frank Scalpati. Sam is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joy; his daughters and sons-in-law, Lee and Bruce Parker and Dana and Andrew Walsh; his four grandchildren, Bree Parker, Catherine Walsh, Daniel Parker, and Aidan Walsh; his sister Mary Jane Scalpati; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends. Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11:30 am at The Parish of Saint Mary in Colts Neck. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, 1384 Perrineville Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831