- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
Leon Barber Jr
Public speaking was far from Junnie’s comfort zone. Well, at least when he was young. But when his church put out a call for lectors he wanted to serve. A Dale Carnegie course gave him the confidence. Leon went on to lector, officiate at funerals, weddings, MC at company affairs, and be the President of the local Kiwannis Club for several terms. Of course growth was always his thing. Junnie had a thirst for learning and adventure. Along with his wife they motorcycled in many states alone and with the Retread Bike Club. They spent 29 years at Big Timber Lake Campground in Cape May Courthouse taking family camping and seeing Civil War Battlefields. Somehow Leon found time to coach Little League teams. Although his daughters didn’t think he was a slave to fashion he always looked just right out in public. He kept the church finances straight; his count was never off.
It was a blind date led Leon and his wife, Helen DeVoy to enjoy 61 years together. They were blessed with four children ; Mariagnes “Chickie” Johnson, Leon 3rd, Peggy Cipparone and Jennifer Ranji, 14 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He is survived by sisters, Mary Mathias and Elaine Matteo and was pre-deceased by siblings, Richard and Barbara “Bobby” Barber.
Come celebrate 83 inspirational years Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. at St. Josephs Church, Swedesboro. Interment Lake Park Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Junnie may be made to St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 140 Broad Street Swedesboro 08085.
9 Comments
I remember summer trips to Clementon Park for DuPont day! He will be missed by all whp were blessed to know him.
I will never forget the sheer terror and thrill of hoping on the back of Uncle Leon’s motorcycle and going for a “spin ” for the first time
Chicken Johnson and family,
I’m sorry about your loss. May you find peace and comfort in your fond memories.
Respectfully,
Eric Lambert
We have been best friends, pranksters, and brother with Leon for 59 years. There are too many memories to list them all here. Just say a lifetime of wonderful memories. I will share one with you. Junnie and I worked for RCA in Camden. I don’t know it or not, Junnie was a prankster, with a gleem in his eye. We pulled some pranks together at our shop, that the manager, a man named Nate Zauzner, sent Junnie to one of the shop and me to the other to work. How does one post a lifetime of wonderful memories on a spot this size?
Mr. Barber was always genuinely happy to see you. He always had a kind word. He had a great smile and a wonderful laugh. Mr. Barber will always be dearly loved by his family and anyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
My memories are of a man who patiently tolerated noisy teenagers around his kitchen table, who were laughing uncontrollably, crying over boyfriend breakups, and eating him out of house and home. The camper was in the side yard, as were the motorcycles. Although I was sad when my friend Peggy was away, Mr. Barber was out making memories with his family that will last a lifetime.
I remember walking into the Barber’s and asking Peggy about the guitar. She told me her dad was learning. About 5 years ago I bought my first guitar. Sometimes I would get very frustrated and put it aside. But then I would remember the guitar and music stand in the Barber’s living room and I would think ‘well Mr. B. did it, maybe I can too’.
He was the best of men.
We are so very sorry it was certainly our pleasure to meet and know such a special man. God Bless
Always keep your memories close at heart, we hope they will help you through this difficult time with your loss. We will all miss him until we meet again. God bless you and your family.
Junnie was a wonderful person. Glad to have known him and share some memories as campers in Timberlake. We will miss him dearly. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and your family.
What a great man. He always had a smile and loved his wife and would tell you so. Chickie and family my prayers are with you all. He is now above looking down on you.