John C. "Babs" Barber, 99, of Lewiston, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at Mt St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Philipsburg, PA, he was the son of the late Frank and Virginia (Salurday) Barber.

Babs, as he was known to his family and friends, attended local schools in Pennsylvania and was drafted into the United States Army on November 24, 1941. During World War II, he fought throughout Omaha Beach, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and lastly in Cologne, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1945 as a Corporal Technician with the 816 ^th Engineer Aviation Battalion. For his courageous dedication, Mr. Barber humbly accepted six medals including the Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal and the Honorable Service Medal.

Following his discharge, Babs returned to Pennsylvania briefly and moved to Niagara Falls, where he married his loving wife Constance "Connie" A. (Gruppo) Barber at St. Joseph Church on July 3, 1947. Connie passed away on April 2, 2006.

John began working at the Wurlitzer Plant in the late 1940's, and then the Niagara Alkalai Corp. prior to retiring from the Hooker Chemical Company in 1980, after 38 years. He was a devout Catholic and faithful parishioner of the former St. George's Church in Niagara Falls, NY.

Babs was an avid bowler and golfer, as well as a talented woodworker.  In his younger years, he also coached the Sheriff's Murphy Indians of the Babe Ruth Baseball League. John took great pride in living independently up until the day of his passing but above all, still being able cut his grass, sometimes even daily, was his greatest joy.

Mr. Barber is survived by his children, John P. (Tina) Barber and Patricia (Thomas) Marra; five grandchildren, Danielle Barber, John Carmen Barber, Julie Anne (Patrick) Barber-Moses, Amber (Craig) Klausen and Erin Marra; four great-grandchildren, Donny and Jacob Myers, Dominick and Noah Costanzo; one brother-in-law, Neil Gruppo, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his siblings, Marie Zelinsky, Irene Young, Ann Larson, Yolanda Larson, Virginia Barber, Margaret Bilbrey, Joseph "Boats" Barber, Frank "Cook" Barber and Richard "Buck" Barber.

Visitation will be from 11 – 12 Noon on Wednesday, October 2 ^nd in Holy Family Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY, where John's Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12 Noon. Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to the Disabled American Veterans , P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY; visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.