Vincent Roche Barrord

September 24, 1924 - October 6, 2019

Vincent Roche Barrord was born September 24, 1924 in Beaver Falls, PA. He was married 67 years to Josephine Ray Barrord who preceded him in death less than 5 months earlier on May 19, 2019. Vincent passed away on October 6, 2019. Vince lived 95 years with an unusual sense of contentment, continual gratitude, sparkling humor and inspiring self-discipline. The oldest of three children in the family of Vincent S. and Nell Roche Barrord, his father died during the Great Depression when Vince was 13. He then began working as a newsboy and a pinsetter at the local bowling and billiards hall to support his mother and sisters. Vince continued financially supporting the family for more than a decade until his two sisters finished college. In 1943, Vince enlisted in the Navy, entering the V-12 Officers Training Program at the University of Pennsylvania. During his service he advanced to the rank of Lieutenant, JG. He commanded a Landing Ship Tank (LTS), and was training for the invasion of Japan when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He later enrolled at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. An enduring family legacy began when Vince met the love of his life, Josie, at The Babcock & Wilcox Company in Alliance. Josie was secretary to the plant superintendent and he was a young engineer visiting from headquarters in Pennsylvania. This March, they celebrated the 70th anniversary of their first date on St. Patrick’s Day 1949. While dating Josie long distance, Vince was recruited by the B&W Alliance Sales Department. They married July 14, 1951. The couple eventually established their home, which Vince designed for their growing family, on Briarcliff Avenue. It was here that they cared for Josie’s aging parents and raised their four children. Josie and Vince resided 58 years in the home they loved until each of their hospitalizations earlier this year. Continuing his career with B & W for 33 years, Vince retired in 1988 as Sales Manager for the Tubular Products Division of the company. During his tenure he travelled to 47 states as well as Germany, Scandinavia and Brazil. Prior to his retirement, he also served as national president of the Welded Steel Tube Institute (WSTI). The Barrords were charter members of Regina Coeli Catholic Church where Vince served as a past president of the Parish Council and an early member of the Holy Name Society. The family is especially grateful to members of the church’s Homebound Ministry who faithfully brought Vince and Josie weekly Holy Communion since early 2018 when Josie was unable to attend church. Vince also served as president of the Alliance Country Club (ACC) where he and Josie were members for 60 years. Both avid golfers, they won the ACC Husband & Wife Tournament in 1969. Upon retirement, they also joined the Lake Henry Golf and Tennis Club in Winterhaven, FL where Vince enjoyed the thrill of scoring a hole-in-one. During their 25 years in Winterhaven, they regularly attended pre-season Indians games and hosted family trips to Disneyworld. Utilizing the skills he acquired playing pool as a youngster, Vince managed to win Winterhaven’s annual billiards championship six times. Playing high school and collegiate tennis led to years of enjoyment playing tennis and racquetball as an adult. In 1951 Vince won the Alliance City Men’s Singles Tennis Championship. He regularly played racquetball at the Alliance YMCA, finally retiring his racket when he reached his mid-eighties. He continued his daily exercise walking outdoors or on the treadmill until he was 93. In retirement, Vince and Josie enjoyed nightly Manhattans together before dinner, travelling to Europe and visiting family in Ireland and Switzerland. They also enjoyed attending the Masters Golf Tournament and playing golf together on different courses, including the Old Course at St. Andrews. Because of his business travel, Vince intentionally decided to introduce fishing as a family pastime so that he could spend quality time with his sons when he was home. Fishing together on local lakes later evolved into a pastime enjoyed by the whole family with annual vacation trips to Canada with children and grandchildren every summer for 49 years. Survivors include his children, Kathryn Jo Barrord Nagel of Brecksville, OH, Vincent Ray Barrord of San Diego, CA, John Francis and daughter-in-law Julie Plas Barrord of Middletown, OH and Mary Nell Barrord Gorski of Liberty Township, OH. He especially enjoyed time spent with his nine grandchildren. They include, Kathleen Gorski (Brenden) Alexander of Andover, MA, Jacqueline Nagel (John) Selph of Baltimore, MD, Michelle Gorski (Daniel) Matusicky of Columbus, OH, John Vincent Barrord of Raleigh, NC, John Frederick Nagel of Bay City, MI, Kelly Barrord (Jason) Grose of Pittsburgh, PA, Michelle Frances Barrord of Cincinnati, Jennifer Lynn Barrord of Cleveland and Elizabeth Marie Barrord of Austin, TX. Vince warmly welcomed his granddaughters’ husbands and Michelle’s fiancé’ Amar Shah into the family and especially delighted in his five great grandchildren, Sloane Josephine and Augustine (Gus) Vincent Alexander, Anneliese (Eilie) and Vincent Matusicky and Paxton Selph. Many nieces and nephews also survive him. Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters and their husbands, Sara Barrord Rossberg (William) and Mary Nell Barrord Koah (Raymond), as well as sons-in-law James Gorski and Frederick Nagel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Thomas P. Dyer on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Regina Coeli Catholic Church, Alliance with burial immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made in Vince’s name to Woodlawn Hospice and Compassionate Care Center through the Aultman Foundation. (aultmanfoundation.org). You are invited to view Vince's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories at www.sharerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home.