Raymond P. Barbero, 69, of New Bedford died unexpectedly Friday January 14, 2005 while vacationing in Las Vegas. He was the fiancé of Jacqueline Dion of Raleigh, North Carolina, and husband of the late Frances E.(Howard) Barbero.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Reale) Barbero, he had lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School, where he was an outstanding athlete and member of the school's Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr. Barbero was the owner and operator of Barbero's Restaurant in Fairhaven for more than 40 years and was co-owner of Dartmouth Indoor Tennis Club in Dartmouth until 1997. A well-known tennis player in local and New England tennis circles, he won many championships and often participated in international tennis matches in Canada.
Mr. Barbero was a member of the Fairhaven Lions Club for more than 42 years and was a recipient of the Melvin Jones award for outstanding service. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years.
He enjoyed his family and friends, traveling, and participating in sporting events. He will be remembered for his warm smile, friendly attitude and exuberance for life. He lived life to the fullest.
Survivors include his fiancée; a son, Thomas Barbero of Lincoln, RI; a daughter, Gina Sylvia, and her husband, Alan, of Dartmouth; two brothers, Joseph Barbero, and his wife Lucille, of Dartmouth, and Robert Barbero, and his wife Jeanette, of Florida; five grandchildren, Adam Barbero, Eryn Barbero, Timothy Barbero, Ethan Sylvia and Brittney Sylvia; a great-grandchild, Callie Barbero; and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Michael Barbero.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Friday January 21, 2005 at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, North Dartmouth at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be on Thursday January 20, 2005 from 4-8 PM. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Schwartz Center for Children, 374 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford, MA 02740, or the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.