John Charles Barber Sr.

John was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the baby brother of five children. A mischievous little guy, he struggled to read and write, instead preferring to work with his hands, pulling things apart and teaching himself to put them back together. In 1978, he graduated from William M. Davies, Jr. Vocational High School in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where he honed his skills and began his career as a talented car mechanic.

He moved his family to Swanzey, New Hampshire, in 2000, pouring his heart and soul into the buildings, land, vehicles, and people of Pilgrim Pines Conference Center and the Swanzey Lake community. He left his mark on most people’s cars from the inside-out and selflessly spent hours upon hours caring for others’ homes, garages, lawn mowers, golf carts – you name it, he fixed it. He spent the better part of his life tending to local vehicles and fearlessly (unless he had to climb a ladder) being everyone’s go-to handyman. John approached most things with a thick dose of sarcasm, a warm smile, and his trademark gravelly voice. If he was greeting you with a handshake or a hug, it was usually accompanied by a friendly jab at some personality characteristic (such as having the gall to root for any non-New England sports team).

His greatest accomplishments in life were his twins, Cassie and John Charles Jr. (better known as JC). That is, until they gave him grandkids. He loved his grandkids with everything he had: Cameron, 11; Kylie, 8; Micah, 6; and his youngest granddaughter, 2-month-old Gemma Hope, who he hadn’t yet met.

He was an avid Boston sports fanatic through-and-through. He cheered on Ray Bourque for 20 years without a single Stanley Cup, cried as The Curse of the Bambino was broken in 2004, swore at the TV as the Patriots lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl, and filled his house with friends to see the Celtics win the NBA Championship in 2008. So, it’s only fitting that his time on earth ended with Tom Brady’s NFL career.

John is survived by his children, Cassie Cyr (Shawn) of Keene; and John (JC) Barber Jr. (Breann) of Two Harbors, Minnesota; as well as his siblings, Tom Barber Jr. (Sue) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; Kathy Doyle of Pawtucket, who currently resides in California; and Mary Jo Kennedy (Les) of Beacon Falls, Connecticut; and his grandchildren: Cameron Cyr and Kylie, Micah, and Gemma Barber. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, who all treasure fond memories with their Uncle John.

He is predeceased by his parents, Thomas A. Barber Sr. and Mary (Madden) Barber, as well as his sister Ann Laliberte and first granddaughter Maggie Grace Barber.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 19 at 1 p.m. at the Camp Squanto Dining Hall at Pilgrim Pines Conference Center in Swanzey, New Hampshire. Lunch will be served following the memorial service. Please, come as you are or wear your favorite Boston sports team apparel – no Yankees allowed.

In lieu of flowers, please grab yourself a Dunkin Donuts coffee in John’s honor or consider a donation to The Jimmy Fund.