John P. Barbero

John P. Barbero, of Roscoe, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 26, 2010. Born February 23, 1945, he was the only son of Thomas S. and Katherine Watson Barbero. John was a 1963 graduate of California High School where he was active as the Student Council President, Yearbook Editor, Chorus President, National Honor Society Treasurer, College Club Vice President, and Home Room President. He was also a member of the Boy's Octet, Chorale, and Spanish Club. It was in high school where he got his start in the announcing field when he announced the football games. In 1963, John attended Grove City College majoring in Business Administration. At Grove City, John pursued his love for broadcasting by working at the college radio station as well as the downtown FM station. During the summer of 1964, while employed by WESA radio in Charleroi, John realized that he wanted to continue his radio career so he transferred to California University of Pennsylvania so he could continue at WESA. During his tenure at WESA, John would broadcast the California Vulcan football games. He also served as sports director and would broadcast weekly football and basketball games throughout the Mon Valley. It was during this time that John was hired by WEEP radio in Pittsburgh to serve as the radio voice of the Pittsburgh Pipers professional basketball team. Traveling around the country with the Pipers soon convinced John that sports announcing was not for him. Instead he decided to continue at California University majoring in English while working evenings at WESA. It was then John hosted a weekly Saturday radio show called "Memory Lane", which featured the greatest oldies from the 50's and 60's. On many Saturdays, the show would receive a thousand phone calls for requests. The popularity grew and John was also rewarded with a daily oldies show from 5 p.m. until the station signed off at dusk. The radio career flourished and John soon became a fixture at such valley dances as Crystal Pool, the In Crowd, the Love Inn, Melody Green Meadows, and the Blue Fox. He was fortunate to work with many of the stars of the day including the Shangri Las, Drifters, Lou Christie, Edwin Starr, Junior Walker, Question Mark and the Mysterions, Tommy James and the Shondells, and Smoky and the Miracles. In 1973 John ended his radio career but the announcing didn't end there. For the next 36 years he was employed by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the arena public address announcer. It was a position he held until his death. John's voice could often be heard on network television promos. He was the first hockey PA announcer to add a little fun to the job which he first did with his memorable calls of Mario Lemieuuuuuuxxxx! In 1969, upon graduation from California University, John was hired as an English teacher in the Monongahela School District. During that time, he earned his Master's Degree as a Reading Specialist from California University. He continued with his education at Duquesne University where he obtained his Elementary and Secondary Principal's Certifications. John served as an English teacher until 1976 when he became an acting assistant principal at Carroll Junior High School. It was later that year that he accepted the Assistant Principal's position at Waynesburg Central High School. Two years later he was hired as the principal and remained there until his retirement in 2003. One of John's passions was softball. He founded the Roscoe Cairn's Team in 1963 and they went on to capture many Mon Valley Slow Pitch Championships. As the team improved, he formed a tournament team which became known throughout the United States. They later changed their name to the California Eagles and then Lee Supply. During his tenure as a manager and player, the team finished second in the world tournament three times and finished in the top 10 in the world nine times. Their accomplishments were well known throughout the softball world. In honor of his achievements and success, John was inducted in June of this year into the Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Since his retirement, John became active in the Roscoe American Legion where he served as Secretary of the Home Association since 2004. He is survived by his daughter, Melissa Barbero Christian, and her husband, Dr. William Christian, and granddaughters, Stella Dee and Roxie Grace Christian of Scottsdale, AZ; son, Brady Thomas Barbero, and his wife Kathleen Quinn Barbero, and grandson, Quinn John Barbero, of Allenport; and son, Brett Anthony Barbero of Roscoe. John was preceded in death by his parents and fiancAC.e, Sharon Ankrom. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Melenyzer-DuBarr Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Inc., 1008 Furlong Avenue, Roscoe. A Blessing service will be held Friday, July 30, at 9:45 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph Church with Rev. George Moneck officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. American Legion Post 801 will conduct their service at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John's name be made to the Mario Lemieux Foundation, 816 Fifth Avenue, Sixth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 or at www.mariolemieux.org.