Howard Barbash passed peacefully on Dec. 6 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center following a long but hard-fought battle with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). His wife, Connie, was with him durinag this time as she had always been during their 41 years of “blissful” marriage.
Howie was born on Dec. 18, 1943, and was educated in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. He proudly served in the Army 101st Airborne Division. After his military duty, he worked for Pan American Airways before moving to AT&T, from which he retired in 1998.
It was during a day of hang-gliding with a group of Howie’s friends that he met Connie. They ultimately married on Oct. 30, 1983, which was a great party for the times. They continued the good times with friends for years to come: at their first home in Westchester County, New York, then moving to Morris County, New Jersey, and finally to Killington. They hosted the annual “Bar-Bash” at their homes for 20+ years. Traveling to VT became a road trip that many friends were hesitant to make as they got older, so the parties ended after one final blowout in Vermont. A good time was had by all.
Howie introduced Connie to skiing in the early 1980s. They shared that passion until Covid-19 when they both hung up their skis.
During the warmer months, Howie enjoyed chasing the little white ball around the 18 holes at Green Mountain National Golf Course (GMNGC) in Killington. He played with the same fellows he skied with. Howie loved the walk and, ultimately, the ride around the beautiful fairways, greens, and gardens at GMNGC.
They enjoyed traveling. As part of his last job at AT&T, Howie worked in the International group, traveling to many of the countries that are in the news today: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and others. The couple also enjoyed road trips, alternating between cross-country to California and trips to Florida — both locations having friends and family that they enjoyed visiting while they explored the wonders of this beautiful country. Their travels also included ski trips to Canada and the Western ski resorts and trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Bermuda, and various Caribbean islands, which were mostly visited by windjammer cruises. In 2009, they adopted two kittens from the RCHS in Pittsford. As navigators of the road trips, the kitties were quite well-traveled and loved walking on their leashes when it was time for a pit stop.
In 2018, Howie was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (a genetic disease that he shared with his mother, older sister, and younger brother). He started dialysis at the Fresenius Dialysis Center in Lebanon, NH. Dec.2019 saw Howie and Connie bring his dialysis treatments into their home; sessions were every other day until Nov. 2024.
Howie is predeceased by his parents, Yetta and Philip Barbash; his older sister, Sonya; younger brother, Julian; and the 2nd love of his life, “the kitay”, Howard’s kitty & navigator. He is survived by his wife, Connie, and his youngest sister, Roberta, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Howie and Connie are grateful to the medical staff at DHMC and the Jack Byrne Center for their caring and compassionate support – they will be missed as part of our lives. And to the team at Fresenius: thank you, thank you. You were our constant support, and you will be missed.
Visiting hours will be held at Clifford Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., with a Funeral Service at 5:00 p.m.
Arrangements are with Clifford Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Rutland County Humane Society, rchsvt.org.
