Raymond Bruce Barber

He was born January 20, 1949 in New Berlin, NY, the son of Raymond G. and Mary (Bowers) Barber. Growing up on the family farm in South New Berlin, he attended the South New Berlin School, graduating in the class of 1967. Following high school, he received an Associate’s Degree from Alfred State University.

Raymond spent the majority of his career working as a field technician for Frontier Communications, based out of the Norwich office. Following his retirement, Raymond moved to Rome, where he had remained for the last 12 years, though he always maintained that he was a “country boy,” and that his heart remained in South New Berlin, the place he called home.

Raymond loved spending time with his family, and held a special place in his heart for his grandkids. In the years he spent in Rome, he helped to establish the Fort Bull Research Group, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of Fort Bull, an English fort which existed in present-day Rome during the French and Indian War. The organization assists in maintaining the historic site of the fort, locating relics, and giving tours of and lectures on the site.

Raymond is survived by his son and daughters: Nathan (Bethany) Barber, Lisa M. (Brandon) Franklin, and Heather G. (Doug) Van Auken; his grandchildren: Lauryn Barber, Morgan Van Auken, Caitlin Wetterhahn, Joshua Wetterhahn, and Bodhi Franklin; his sisters: Cheryl Jones and Darlene Barber; and his nephews: Jeff Jones, Ted Jones, Kevin Jones, and Doug Jones Jr; as well as many good friends from over the years.

He was predeceased by his parents: Mary P. and Raymond G. Barber.

Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad Street, Norwich, on Friday, Feburary 25, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A graveside service will be held in the spring in Riverside Cemetery, South New Berlin, at a date and time to be announced.