George C. Barbera

George Barbera, 87, passed away on November 9, 2004 at the Fayette Continuous Care Nursing Home in Fayetteville, WV following a severe stroke. George was born in Tamroy, WV on July 8, 1917. He was the husband of Cherry Cinotti Barbera and the son of the late Joseph and Iolanda Barbera, both of whom emigrated from Italy in the early 20th century. George was educated at Mount Hope High School and attended West Virginia University before returning home to help out with the family bakery business and his nine siblings. After marrying Cherry Cinotti, George began his career in Baltimore, Maryland working at Glen L. Martin Aviation during World War II. He returned to Mount Hope where he and his wife opened Cherry's Pastry Shop on Main Street. After several years there, he and his family then moved to Detroit, Michigan where he worked at Ford Motor Company. In 1949 he returned to the Mount Hope area to spend the rest of his life. George became an agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and a salesman for Frank Blume Frozen Foods. He was also co-owner of Quickles Cash Markets in Oak Hill and Beckley. He then expanded his business to a general insurance agency. In 1962, he opened Burgerland Drive Inn on the Mt. Hope By-pass and then across the street he built U-tot-em, a convenience store. His retirement was a phased-in process as he was busy keeping an eye on his businesses even after he sold them. Accompanied by his family, George's connection with his roots sent him back to visit Italy several times, the last being in 1999 when he visited relatives in Sicily. George had a successful business career, but his focus was always on his family. He considered his wife, three children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren as his true blessings. He was an active member of the Men's Guild of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kilsyth, WV and also attended Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Oak Hill. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by four brothers, Pete, Andy, Quinto, and Albert and two sisters, Grace and Angelina. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Cherry; a daughter, Connie Taylor and husband Ron of Oak Hill, WV; a son, William Barbera of Greenacres, Florida; a daughter, Cheriann Hanson and husband Chris of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Grandchildren include Leah Taylor Boggs and husband Tony of Ravenswood, WV; George Barbera and wife Lura of Beckley, WV; Aimee Barbera Dunn and husband Greg of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Ron Taylor and wife Lori of Youngstown, OH; Lindsay and Kristan Hanson of Arlington Heights, IL; and Nikolas Barbera of Boynton Beach, FL. Great-grandchildren include Andrew and Christopher Barbera of Beckley, WV; Anthony and Mychal Boggs of Ravenswood, WV, and Eli Taylor of Youngstown, OH. Other survivors include one brother, Nunzio Barbera of Keyser, WV and two sisters, Mary Jo Koniecka of Ocean City, MD and Martha Jane Kiernan of Damascus, MD along with many nieces and nephews. Friends may call 5 to 8 pm on Friday, November 12 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope, WV. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Oak Hill, WV A funeral mass will be held at 11 :00 a.m. on Saturday, November 13 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be Luigi Stella, Ron Taylor, Michael Barbera, Ernie Barbera, George Barbera, and Ronnie Taylor.