Fred Barber

VERO BEACH FLORIDA- Fred E. Barber, 71, passed away Monday June 25, 2018 at the VNA Hospice House Vero Beach .He was born in Springfield MA, grew up on the Boulevard in West Springfield,  and raised his family in Agawam .  He retired to Vero Beach, FL. where he resided in a loving neighborhood called the Sanctuary for 20 years. He graduated from West Springfield High School in 1964. He married his High School sweetheart Cynthia M. (Malerba) in 1967 and were together for 54 years.  He graduated from AIC and was a National Accounts manager for AT&T for 30 years before retiring in 2000.  He was a Vietnam Navy veteran of two different aircraft carriers where he supported fighter squadrons and met lifelong friends. He was a 46-year mason serving as Master of Mount Moriah Lodge in Westfield, MA and a twice Master of Huntington Federal lodge, Huntington, MA. After retiring and moving to Florida he became a member of both Sebastian and Vero Beach Masonic Lodges.  A faithful mason for all his adult life, he was awarded the Joseph Warren award, the second highest award bestowed by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. A long serving member of Melha Shrine temple of Springfield,  a Shriner since 1972, He served as President of the Hadji unit in 1984, exactly 20 years after his father. He was 17-year cherished employee of Sandridge Golf club, where he served as a staging and deployment specialist. He played countless rounds of golf with great friends and was able to attend the first annual tournament in his honor.  He was member of great many leagues in Massachusetts and Florida. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Barbara and Warren Barber of West Springfield. He leaves a brother, Ernest of Becket, MA, and sister Denise of West Springfield. He is survived by son Marc and his wife Melissa of Deltona, FL and daughter Amy Kelly and her husband Michael of North Reading, MA. He also leaves grandchildren, Mariah, Abigail, Cathryne and Samantha all of FL and Jessica and Elizabeth of MA.  Also survived by Brother’s-in-law Richard Malerba and wife Veronica, and David Malerba and wife Stacey, several nieces and nephews and a great-niece and nephew. For all his life, Fred was a humble servant to all, whether thru his charitable contributions as a Shriner or just his natural need to help those who needed it. He made lasting relationships and will always be remembered for his giving nature and all that he has done. The family will gather from 10:00AM – 11:00AM, on Saturday (July 7th, 2018) in the Colonial Forastiere Family Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam with a Masonic Service to follow at 11:00AM. In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield MA 01104. www.forastiere.com