Daniel P. Barbo
Posted By Kyle Nikola On December 29, 2020 @ 4:00 pm In Obituaries | 2 Comments
Daniel P. Barbo passed away peacefully on December 12th, 2020 in Savannah, GA after a long and courageous battle against Parkinson’s disease. He turned 88 three days prior to his death.
Dan is survived by his wife and best friend of 66 years, Anna. He is also survived by his 3 sons, John (m: Alexandra), Dan Jr. (m: Patrice) and Michael and his five terrific grandchildren, Matthew (m: Christine), Stefanie, Jennifer, Jessica and Daniel Phillip III, whom he adored. They will miss him terribly. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Rosemary. His father Rosario, mother, Bridget and brother, Leonard all pre-deceased him.
Dan, it was said, was born with the furniture business in his blood and for over 50 years was the driving force across several furniture endeavors. In 1955, upon his honorable discharge from the US Air Force, Dan joined his father who founded the Barbo’s Fine Furniture business with stores in Stoneham and Dedham, MA. There is nary a Bostonian who can forget the Barbo Furniture ad jingle that Dan created, “Barbo’s, Barbo’s, furniture you can live with – happily ever after.”.
Dan became president of the John M. Smyth furniture chain in Chicago in 1965. He led their efforts for over 15 years. While there, he saw an emerging trend of “ready-made furniture” and launched the very successful Homemaker’s furniture chain in the Chicagoland area with 7 locations.
But Boston, his birthplace, and where he met Anna while they both attended Boston University, beckoned him back. He returned to Boston in 1984 and reopened the Barbo Furniture business with stores in Burlington and Cambridge.
Dan had several hobbies and interests ranging from bocci and golf to being an arbiter in non-civil suits. His most fulfilling interest was boating. He often told stories of summer times during his adolescent years boating around Rockport with friends and family. That love of boating continued when he and Anna decided to retire to the Landings in Savannah, GA in 1998. There he took great pride in knowing how to navigate the marshy waterways of the Inter-coastal to places like Hilton Head and beyond. Every trip was filled with interesting information that Dan provided on the ecosystem of the Inter-coastal waterway. These excursions were always filled with laughter and memories that would last a lifetime. Any social interaction that Dan and Anna hosted would not be complete without his creative and fun games designed to engage one and all. Dan loved creating games and contests on even the silliest of premises. It was his endearing power of connecting with others that will be much missed. In retirement, Dan shared his love of his country and the Air Force service as a docent at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler, GA.
Dan’s life was dedicated to his family whom he supported in countless ways. He cared deeply about his friends and those that worked for him over the years. He was a visionary when beginning in the 1960’s, he boldly promoted women into managerial ranks while president of the John M. Smyth business. His sons learned invaluable lessons growing up over the dinner table about leadership and management. He was a source of immense experience and they called upon his counsel many times during their business careers.
Dan’s quick and wonderful sense of humor will be remembered fondly by all that knew him. The many memories of Dan will keep the light of kindness and family focus fresh for each of them going forward in the days and years to come.
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Condolences for the family of “Daniel P. Barbo”
Dear Anna and Family,
I was so very sorry to hear of “Mr. B’s” passing. I loved working for you and Mr. Barbo in the Burlington store. Ever the gentleman, consummate salesman and source of knowledge, I was so very fortunate to know him.
I learned a great deal from him. My husband and sons still fondly remember visiting Barbo’s, and they especially recall Mr. Barbo taking time to talk to them and make them laugh.
My heart goes out to all of you. I am sending love and prayers to you all.
Julie Maher
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Anna and Mike, May I offer my sincere sympathies at Dan’s passing. Sue and I last saw Dan and Anna more than a decade ago when we vacationed in Savannah. I, too, am one of those who remember the Barbo’s jingle … and a TV ad with a salesman and customer crawling under a dining table as he points out construction features! That Dedham store was about a mile from my family’s store. Barbo’s was always “good” competition.
I was in my 50’s by the time I met Mike, and through him, Dan and then Anna. Dan was gracious, full of stories and humor and one who was genuinely interested in the lives of those he met. Dan was one of those rare people in our industry to whom I refer, with highest respect, as a true Gentle-Man. I’ll miss him.