James V. Barbieri

THE AMERICAN DREAM FULFILLED

In May 1935, six year old James Barbieri, his mother, Beatrice and sister, Catherine landed in New York.

They had left San Vito sullo Ionio, Calabria Italy for the United States of America to be reunited with Saverio and their three sons, Joseph, Nick, and Vito. They faced the Depression and times were hard.

Jim could only count to 5 when he entered Henry School. Two months later, he could count to 100. School was easy for him and he was able to finish Central High in three years. Akron U, was the next challenge.

By age nine, he helped the family by selling the Beacon Journal and The Plain Dealer and cleaning a tennis court. Jim loved his later work at City Hospital in the kitchen. But Papa Saverio threatened, either do a better job or join him with the Akron City Water Department.

Goodyear offered the chance for a better life. Jim spent 43 years at Goodyear, rising from check weight clerk to manager of Financial Forecasting to head of Polymer and Firm Accounting and General Accounting. A little boy from Southern Italy was now a world traveler, meeting with financial people from around the world.

A two-year stint in the army honed his leadership skills, useful in his Goodyear career.

Jim and his wife, Virginia, met when she was eight and he was eleven through family in Italy and Akron. They have loved each other ever since. They married in 1954 in Virginia’s hometown, Chicago. They began moving from small home to bigger, to the lake, on to a condo, and then to Concordia at Sumner. Each move led to new friends. They spent 13 winters in Florida, and were fortunate.

But they had no children. Jim became closer to his family and was BIG UNCLE to his nieces and nephews. Brothers, Joe, Nick, and Vito, and sister, Catherine had married and had families. Joe and Millie had Beatrice and Sam; Nick and Rose had Sam and Rosemarie; Vito and Madelynn had Marie, Joe, and Rita. Catherine and Giulio had Susan and Roseann.

They never expected to live as long as they did, so they moved to Concordia for a secure and useful life. Here they met friendly and giving people and opportunities. But Jim developed vascular dementia which took away some of his memories, but not his personhood. He still had his sense of humor, his compassion (when a neighbor died), his family concern, and for his wife’s well fair.

Jim was faithful to God and church.

Jim’s life fulfilled the American Dream. Success in education, opportunity in career, love in marriage, family and friendships, and opportunity to establish financial security. America offered a dream and Jim lived it.

“Jim, you asked me many times to write this obituary. It has been my pleasure and sorrow.” Love Virginia

Private family services will be held, and a Mass will be held at a later date. A live streamed service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. To view, please visit the link below.

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1650656881180015

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish

83 Mosser Place, Akron, Ohio 44310 or St. Jude at https://www.stjude.org/.

Rose Hill Funeral Home, 3653 W. Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44333