Edward Joseph Barber, age 81 years, of Clinton, NJ, died on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Bayonne, NJ, September 1, 1939, son of the late Edward Joseph Barber, Sr. and Mary Hayce Barber, Ed was raised in Bayonne and had previously lived in Creve Cour, MO and Cheshire, CT prior to moving to Clinton twenty-five years ago.

Ed was retired from Stone Container where he served for many years as General Manager. His experience in corrugated manufacturing spanned many years and he was well regarded by his colleagues in the industry.

A United States Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam era, Ed faithfully served his country and also served for many years in the United States Air Force reserves. Having experienced many difficult and powerful events during his time in the service, Ed was a true patriot, and knew better than anyone, that freedom is not free. He enjoyed learning about the history of the country and reading biographies of the founding fathers.

Upon his return after the war, Ed met Ms. Patricia Ann Rumore in June of 1962 and on September 1, 1962, the couple would be wed in St. Andrew’s Church, Bayonne, NJ. They would have two children, Richard and Patricia, who would eventually make Ed a grandfather, a title he cherished.

Ed was devoted to his family, and he and Patricia shared many laughs as they simply lived for one another. As she said upon reflecting on their fifty-eight years of marriage, “We dated each other every day. We were good friends and truly loved each other.”

History and reading were enjoyments which Ed passed on to his children and grandchildren, but his true passion in life, besides his family, was fly fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Self taught, Ed made his own flies and loved spending as much time as possible enjoying the beauty of the rivers and streams throughout New Jersey.

Sparse Grey Hackle, known as the Dean of Fly Fishing, once said, “”Soon after I embraced the sport of angling, I became convinced that I should never be able to enjoy it if I had to rely on the cooperation of the fish.”  Ed understood this simple philosophy and happily passed his love of living to his children and grandchildren, and set a mark of how to live life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Helicki; and a brother, George Barber.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son and daughter-in-law, Richard C. and Christine J. Barber; a daughter, Patricia A. Frankovitz; his three grandsons, John N., James E., and Matthew R. Barber; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Margaret and Robert Hundley; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Jonathan S. Toborowsky will take place on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822. Everyone is kindly requested to meet directly at the church on Friday morning, beginning at 10:45 a.m.

Inurnment with full military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940.

Kindly note that masks and social distancing are required at all funeral related events. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival at the church and at the cemetery.

Please visit Ed’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or online by clicking  HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”