Shrewsbury – Stephen J. Barlow, 63, of Shrewsbury, was peacefully placed into the arms of God by his loving family at home Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Cynthia (Colella) Barlow, and his three devoted and much loved children, LeeAnn Marien and her husband, Paul, of Boylston, Joshua Barlow and his wife, Lindsey, of Boston, and Zachary Barlow of Shrewsbury, along with two precious grandchildren, Allison and Patrick Marien, who he cherished spending time with. He is also survived by his parents, Nancy (Farnsworth) Barlow and Walter P. Barlow of Medway; and his mother-in-law, Marilyn J. Colella of Worcester; two sisters, Christine Devereux and her husband, Roger, of Framingham and Marianne Dinkel and her husband, Lou, of Groton; three brothers, Larry Barlow of Milford, Kevin Barlow of Shrewsbury, and Peter Barlow and his wife, Sandra, of Carlsbad, CA; four nieces and three nephews; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
Steve was born in Clinton and grew up in Medway, where he attended Medway Public Schools and graduated from Medway High School. He received a degree in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1971, and was a member of the Phi Cappa Beta Fraternity.
Steve's first job was with the city of Worcester after which he worked several years for Northeastern Construction Company of Framingham. In 1982, he found his home and second family of 30 years when he began working for J.F. White Contracting Co. of Framingham. He was a project manager and the Chief Operating Officer, and most recently was named president. Steve loved his job and his co-workers along with the challenges of overseeing many projects, including the renovation of Boston's South Station, the underground garage at Post Office Square in Boston, Amtrak Electrification, and his favorite project, Catskill Delaware Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility in New York.
He was a longtime member of the MOLES organization and was their president from May 2011 to May 2012, celebrating their 75th year.
Steve enjoyed many hobbies, such as reading, music, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, photography, including underwater photography, playing poker with college buddies, and growing Japanese maple trees. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by his family, especially on St. John in the Virgin Islands and in Brewster on Cape Cod.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and a loyal friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone who loved and knew him.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Peter White and family along with Steve's co-workers for their endless support and love, and also Dr. Vijay Kasturi and the oncology nurses at the UMASS Cancer Center. Their professionalism, genuine care and compassion helped make a very difficult situation more bearable for Steve and his family.
A period of calling hours for Stephen will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. His funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m., in Liberty Church, 495 Hartford Tpke., Shrewsbury, (please go directly to church). Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.
Donations in Steve's memory may be made to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, General Scholarship Fund, Attn: Gift Recording, 100 Institute Rd., Worcester, MA. 01609 (checks made payable to “Worcester Polytechnic Institute”) or Cancer Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial: Gifts may be made by check, payable to: UMMF-Cancer Center of Excellence and mailed to: UMass Medicine Development Office, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
To share your thoughts and memories of Steve, please visit his personal guestbook at: www.mercadantefuneral.com.
