Nicholas A. Barbato, 80 years old, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. He was the son of the late Anthony and Rose (Christiano) Barbato.
He is survived by his children, Regina Chase of Newport, Michaela Barbato of Oklahoma City, OK, and Nicholas Barbato Jr. of Plantation, FL, a brother Frank “Rocky” Barbato and his wife Valerie of Newport, and two sisters Margaret E. Way of Collingswood, NJ and Madeline Barbato of North Providence, and his grandchildren, Tiernan and Ian Chace of Newport and Connor and Amanda Barbato of Plantation, FL, and three nieces, Rosemarie Siwak, Valerie Withers, and Vanessa Diomandes.
Nick was a graduate of St. Mary’s School and a proud graduate of De La Salle Academy in Newport, where he lettered in football and public speaking. On the football team, he earned All County three years, and second team All-State on defense. He often said that in later years he was able to draw on the faith foundation laid by these teachers, especially Sister Redempta (aka Sister Elizabeth Bryson) of The Sisters of Mercy, Brother Brazilian and Brother B. Patrick of the Christian Brothers.
Nick’s early days in CYO boxing at St. Mary’s with his brother Rocky training him, introduced him to the sport that became a passion. Boxing enabled him to work with athletes and various promoters around the world, including England, Tokyo, Germany and Puerto Rico. His work representing fighters with Jimmy Birchfield’s Classic Entertainment in Sports also brought Nick to cities across the US.
Nick served honorably and proudly as a corporal in the USMC Reserves. If you knew Nick well, you knew he was proud of his Italian heritage being a charter member of the Newport Forum Sons of Italy, and a Charter Member of the Rhode Island Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
For several years he worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Co, and earned a spot on the Million Dollar Roundtable and selected as Man of The Year. For years he was a partner in a restaurant located at the Bend Boat Basin in Portsmouth, Gallagher’s Restaurant in Newport, and the Rockland Diner in Fall River.
Nick was a faithful member of St. Stanislaus Parish in Fall River and served as a Eucharistic Adorer at Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday May 6, 2018 from 4:00-8:00pm in Hambly Funeral Home, 30 Red Cross Ave, Newport.
His funeral will be held on Monday, May 7 at 9:00am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Mary’s Church, Spring Street, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Browns Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Stanislaus Church, 36 Rockland St, Fall River, MA 02724 or to Holy Ghost Church, 316 Judson St, Tiverton, RI 02878
