Theodore J. Barbella

Theodore John Barbella, age 90, of the Lake Ridge community of Toms River, NJ, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Arbor Care LTC Center in Toms River, NJ. Born in Newark, NJ on July 17, 1924, he was the son of the late Theresa (DiPasquale) and Donato Barbella. After being raised in Newark, he was a 40 year resident of Cranford, NJ before moving to Lake Ridge 20 years ago. Mr. Barbella retired from a career with Industrial Microwave in support of the technical project for N.A.S.A. where he designed and participated in the manufacturing of the Moon Rover and Moon Receiver which can now be seen in the Smithonian Institute. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and Mr. Barbella received 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star after being wounded in Italy. He was a member of the Italian American Club and the Men's Club at Lake Ridge. Mr. Barbella is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Josephine (Soprano) Barbella; two children, Wendy Bolinski and her husband Ed, and Virginia Reynolds and her husband Paul; 3 brothers, Daniel, Victor, and Rocco Barbella; 5 granddaughters and 12 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Mary, Elizabeth, Flora, Fannie, Dr. Joseph, Anthony, Angelo and John. His viewing will be on Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701. His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in the funeral home. Entombment will follow in St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery, Lakewood, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deborah Hospital Foundation, 212 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.