Salem – John (Jack) Barber, 83, of Salem, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 30, 2016 after an extended illness.

Jack was born in Salem on November 2, 1932, son of Margaret and Fayette Barber. He lived his whole life in Salem except for four years serving in the U.S. Air Force. He jokingly referred to himself as "a true Salem native".

Jack was predeceased by his parents, siblings Fayette (Elsie) Barber, Peggy (Joe) Trangucci, Phyllis (Stanley) Getty, Ann (Raymond Randall) and Guy Barber, sister-in-law Jacqui Gray and brother-in-law John Rich.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, two sons, Mitchell (Lisa) of Laconia, NH and Douglas (Erin) of Whitehall, NY; two granddaughters, Dr. Lindsay Green-Barber (Sherman) of San Francisco, CA and Laurel Green-Barber (Britt) of Ellington, CT.  Also surviving Jack are his sister-in-law's, Grace Barber of Port Jefferson, LI, NY, Gail (Ed) Phillips of Salem, Carol Rich of Shushan and brother-in-law, Ken (Rose Mary) Sheffield of East Greenwich and several nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Salem Washington Academy and Castleton State College.  Jack taught math in Salem for many years and coached boys' varsity basketball and cross country.  During the 1980's he was fortunate to have on his basketball teams outstanding athletes who were hard working and dedicated to the sport, and they brought to their school four Section 2, Class D titles.  In 1985-86 Jack was honored to be named the Post Star coach of the year.  Jack was always a sports fan, following the NY Mets baseball, New York Giants football, and Syracuse University basketball teams.

Jack enjoyed golf and after retirement he and his wife traveled around the country in their RV and enjoyed riding bike trails, especially along the New Hampshire coast. He thought of Hampton Beach as his second home.                                                                                                                                                          One of the great joys of his life was watching his granddaughters grow up, attending their activities, and seeing them graduate college.

He was a member and past commander of Francis J. Clark American Legion Post 812 in Salem.

At his request there will be no calling hours but a celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Salem United Methodist Church, 29 West Broadway, Salem with Rev. Debbie Earthrowl officiating. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall of the church following the service.

The family suggest that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Salem/Shushan Fuel Fund, P.O. Box 412, Salem, NY  12865 or the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY  12865.

The following is an excerpt from his favorite song entitled "My Way"  "And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain, My friend, I'll say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I'm certain, I've lived a life that's full, I traveled each and ev'ry highway, And much, much more than this, I did it my way."