George Martin Barras passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2024, a month shy of his 96th birthday.
He was born on February 17, 1928 in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to Jonathan Barras, a civil servant, and Elizabeth Barras (née Seery), a homemaker from Kildare, Ireland. He recalled fond childhood memories at Turf Moor, the home of Burnley FC, visits to Blackpool, and school at Saint Mary’s Parish.
George was a self-employed painter and wallpaper contractor. He left Britain for North America aboard the Queen Elizabeth, first settling in Toronto, and later making New Jersey his home. One night he attended a dance in Newark where he struck up one of his trademark conversations with an Irish woman named MaryAnn Flahive, they married in 1956.
They had five daughters together, four surviving to adulthood. The family first settled in East Orange before moving to Livingston in 1967, where they lived for the next 60 years. He continued his career, and by the time his grandchildren arrived, he couldn’t drive up a street in Livingston without recalling his work on at least one house.
After retirement, George enjoyed his time as a member of the Livingston Old Guard. He was honored to serve as the President, and he was known to share his vocal talents.
George was adored by his family, who knew him as Papa. He always made time to be with his grandchildren, reliably attending
Skilled Contractor, Loving Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather
sporting events, plays, graduations, dinners, and most importantly, welcoming them into his home whenever they wanted, often without warning. He was a gifted storyteller, so good was his craft, he could strike up a conversation with anyone, turning strangers into friends. Such was his charm.
He is predeceased by parents Jonathan and Elizabeth, siblings Jack and Eileen, wife Mary, and daughter Kathleen. He is survived by daughters Eileen Lucich, Joan (Bill) DeVizio, Catherine (David) Lindsey, and Mary Pena, grandchildren Jennifer, Matthew (Kendyl), Andrew (Ciara), Sean (Kristen), Sarah, Jonathan, Ryan (Michelle), Jason, Brendan, and William, and great-grandchildren Jacob, Ava, Jack, Claire, George, James and Marie.
Visitation was held at Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, Roseland on Saturday, January 20. The funeral Mass followed at St. Philomena’s Church, Livingston. Entombment was private. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s name may be made to St. Philomena’s Church.
