Obit: Barbco Founder Jim Barbera

(UC) – Barbco founder James “Jim” S. Barbera, age 79 of East Canton, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2019.

He was born on March 7, 1940 to the late Cono and Frances Barbera. He was a graduate of Timken Vocational High School and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army.

Jim and his wife, Fran, married on Nov, 1963 in Canton, Ohio. Jim was on the Canton City Police Department and Fran worked at a rubber glove manufacturing company. Jim’s experience in home remodeling was a way to bring additional income into the family. During those early years they would purchase homes in the city, fix them up and rent them out.

In 1968, their first son Jim was born, followed a year and a half later by their daughter Chris and then almost a year to the day later by Tony and Dave. With four children under the age of three, Jim was working multiple jobs to pay the bills and Fran stayed home taking care of the family.

In 1975, Jim retired from the police department and went into business for himself. He continued his work in construction and got into the pool solar heating business. Then, in 1979, Jim started working at American Auger for his brother Leo. During his 10 years at American, Jim oversaw the sales department and had direct oversight of several initiatives including the reconditioning of a 19’ Robbins tunnel boring machine and being an active organizer in the auger boring schools that were held in Arizona.

In 1989, Leo Barbera sold American Auger. After much thought, Jim started Barbco with Fran's support, and the company ran out of a shop in Twinsburg, Ohio for its first 6 months.

The first of their children to work for the company was Tony, who had just graduated from high school. His twin brother, Dave, started in 1992 and worked primarily in the office. The other children, Chrissy and Jim, worked intermittently during the early years of the company.

Barbco continued to expand its product line as Jim saw opportunities in the trenchless industry. He brought products such as directional drills and pilot tube machines into Barbco’s manufacturing capabilities. With this growth, Jim continually looked for facilities that would give him the space he needed to build the equipment customers were looking for.

In 2003, Jim moved the company to its present location in East Canton, Ohio. At this location, Barbco had the space to build and the land to expand his manufacturing when needed. To date, the company has undergone two additions.

Jim and Fran moved to Florida but returned frequently to Ohio, and Jim continued to discuss business matters with his three sons, all of whom work at Barbco, according to an April 2018 article on the company's website, which concluded: "Let it be known that Jim and Fran Barbera persevere through the many difficult times to make this company a reality. Their legacy will always be remembered in the industry and in our family."

Along with his parents, Jim was preceded in death by sisters, Cona Mayle and Frances Regiec. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Frances; children, James (Janet) Barbera of Uniontown, Christina Barbera (Dana Embrose) of Cleveland, Anthony (Terry) Barbera of Canton, and David (Jenny) Barbera of Dover. Also survived by brothers, Mike (Carol) Barbera and Leo (Marcia) Barbera; sister, Josephine Johnson; twelve grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

From Archive

• Most Read
• Most Commented