Fred Ellsworth Barefield, 69 of Brockway, died Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at his residence.
Born Sept. 9, 1946 in DuBois, he was the son of the late Fred E. and Nellie Mae Shaffer Barefield.
On Aug. 2, 1969, he was married to Marilyn G. Fremer and she survives.
Retired, Mr. Barefield had been employed at Ross Mould as a mold maker.
He gave dedicated service to others in Jefferson County, Snyder Township and the Brockway Community as well as his previous service nationally to the AFGWU and the USW unions.
He served in the following capacity: member and president of the Local Union 71, USW; International Executive Board member for USW; negotiating member of the USW and Mold and Glass Container Industry; chairman of Board of Supervisors, Snyder Township; member of Jefferson County Planning Commission; chairman of Jefferson County Township Board of Supervisors; and member of COG. He also served on Joint Committee of Brockway Sewage Authority.
Mr. Barefield was a U.S. Army veteran and stationed at the Panama Canal during the Vietnam War. He was Protestant by faith. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially fishing with his grandchildren. He enjoyed camping and going for rides, whether on his four-wheeler or exploring the area in his truck.
He was an avid NASCAR fan and faithfully cheered for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and later Dale Earnhardt Jr. He was a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. He enjoyed being at all of the many activities his grandchildren were involved in.
It didn’t matter what it was, he never missed any of it. Spending time with his family is what mattered most to him. No matter how busy his life got, he never missed an opportunity to stop and smell the lilacs.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kathleen D. Barefield Painter of Brockway and a son, Fred E. Barefield III, also of Brockway.
He is survived by two sisters, Ruth McConnell of New Port Richey, Fla., and Kathleen (Stu) Ropka of Ashland, Ala., and three brothers, Pastor Joseph (Janet) Catani of Jonestown, Patrick (Mary) Smeal of Camp Hill and Michael (Channary) Barefield of Portland, Ore.
Mr. Barefield is also survived by six grandchildren, Fred E. Barefield IV, Madison P. Barefield, Isaac L. Painter, Lewis R. Painter, Ashden N. Barefield and Makaela N. Barefield.
Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by a brother, William L. Barefield.
Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, at the Carlson-Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Tobias Church also in Brockway, with Msgr. Charles Kaza officiating, and Pastor Joseph Catani co-officiating.
Burial will be in St. Tobias Cemetery.
Full military honors will be accorded Tuesday at the church by Parson-Marnati Post No. 95 of the American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232 or Hahne Cancer Center, 100 Hospital Ave., DuBois, PA. 15801.
Online condolences may be left at csfhinc.com.