Fernando Alfredo Barata, better known as Fred, died on Sept. 29, 2023. He was 91 years old.
Fred is survived by his caring and loving wife of 63 years, Philomena Marie (Feola) Barata. He is also survived by daughter, Mary Catherine, her husband Thomas Dean; and sons, Kevin and Thomas; daughter, Helen Marie and her husband, Joseph DiTommaso; son, Joseph, and daughters, Maria, Gianna, and Isabella; and daughter Ann Elizabeth and her husband, Scott Cady, and daughters, Grace and Sarah. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo Ramahlo Barata and Ida Francesca Pappalardo; his stepmother, Elizabeth Marie Valeo; and his brothers, Joseph and Daniel.
Born at the family residence in Freeland, Luzerne County, Pa., on May 2, 1932, Fred was the first son of Alfredo and Ida. He attended Freeland Public Schools and the Mining and Mechanical Institute (MMI) of Freeland, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from MMI, Fred joined the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged after serving his four-year enlistment aboard the destroyer USS Gyatt during both the Korean Conflict and Cold War. Fred was active as a historian for the USS Gyatt and wrote a book on its history. He also organized and attended many reunions with his shipmates over the years.
Upon discharge from the Navy, Fred attended the Pennsylvania State University and earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. While at Penn State, he had many jobs including waiter, janitor, truck driver, model, draftsman, surveyor, and engineer for Engineering Centre Incorporated (ECI), in State College, Pennsylvania. He worked in all aspects of civil engineering at ECI and continued there after earning his degree. At the suggestion of a man he considered his mentor, he went to work in the construction field, engineering and managing the construction of earth and concrete dams, state and interstate highways, pipelines, and mining projects.
His passion for heavy equipment resulted in engineering, designing, evaluating, and managing large surface mining projects. Construction and mining projects took him to all50 states, Canada, Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and islands in the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Throughout his career he continued his education by attending various seminars relating to his profession and on a number of occasions he was invited as a speaker. He was licensed as a professional engineer in 10 states, a contractor in six states, and a blaster in numerous states in the eastern and western United States.
Following his retirement, Fred developed an interest in genealogy. He compiled and published the results of his research for his children and grandchildren. He also offered his genealogy services to family and friends so they too could learn about their roots.
Fred deeply loved his family and was very proud of his children and grandchildren. His life’s goal, which he more than successfully met, was to ensure his wife and family were always cared for.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mining and Mechanical Institute, 154 Center Street, Freeland, PA 18224; St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 3346 University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505; or St. Ursula’s Food Pantry, PO Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26546.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Star City at
11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, with Rev. John McDonough and Rev. John DiBacco concelebrating. Friends will be received for visitation at St. Mary’s from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, with a prayer vigil beginning at 7 p.m., and on Thursday from 9:30-11 a.m. prior to the funeral mass.
Interment will follow at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Clearfield, Pa.
Caring services are provided by Dering-Henson Funeral Home.
