William H. Barbarow

William H. (Bill) Barbarow, 80, of Keene, NH died on Monday, November 13, 2023, after a long struggle with dementia. 

William Henry Barbarow was born April 24, 1943 to Francis and Adeline (Crowell) Barbarow in Newport, RI.  Bill attended De La Salle Academy and graduated in 1962.  Shortly after enrolling in the University of Rhode Island (URI), he met the love of his life, Dorothea Salas. Dotty came to RI to attend St. Catherine’s Academy for her senior year of high school from her native Guam.  Bill and Dotty married, October 31, 1964.  Bill graduated from URI in 1972 while working full-time with Nestle Foods Corporation.  Bill and Dotty raised their children in Wareham, MA, Barre, VT and Bellows Falls, VT.  Bill retired from Nestle after 23 years of service and then worked at Cota & Cota Oil and Newsbank. 

Bill dedicated much of his spare time to service organizations like the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, volunteering at the Senior Center and delivering for Meals on Wheels.  Bill was very active in the church; he was a eucharistic minister, catechism teacher and served on the parish councils at each of the churches where the family attended, St. Patrick’s, St Monica’s and St. Charles.  Supporting his children’s aspirations drew Bill to lead Boy Scouts troops, Little League teams and was often in the audience for the multitude of band concerts, football games, recitals and gymnastic meets. 

In addition to spending time with his family, Bill could often be found at the public library checking out books; reading and exploring history were some of his favorite pastimes.  In the 70’s Bill and Dotty would take the kids camping all along the East coast, often with his parents; Bill had an aspiration to travel the entirety of US Route 1 from Canada to Key West – and together they did it!  Bill was known to family and friends for a hilarious sense of humor, and warm heart; his children and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Bill is survived by his wife, Dorothea, David (Jessica), Elizabeth (Jeremy), Patrick (Rhawnie), Patricia (Rick), and Mary (Julie).  Bill was the proud grandpa to Emma, Harper, Collin, Aaron, Kayla, Gavin, Keegan, Skylar, Corrine, Cassandra and Kaitlyn. He was also the proud great-grandpa to Collins, Walker-Gene, Cale and Reagan. William was pre-deceased by his brother Richard (Dicky) and his parents Francis and Adeline Barbarow.

SERVICES:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Lucy’s Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 11am followed by interment at Newport Memorial Park, 123 Howland Ave. Middletown, RI.  

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of William Barbarow to The Castle Center at Home, Health and Community Services of Keene, NH. 

Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium assisted the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to https://phaneuf.net/