Eugene Barbera, 74, businessman and lover of cars

WORK HARD! Play hard! And keep 'em laughing!

That was the philosophy of Eugene C. Barbera, a Northeast Philadelphia retiree who passed on his passion for cars, jokes and a strong work ethic to his four children.

On Saturday, Barbera, 74, died of lung cancer at his home in Longport, N.J. He also had a home in Boynton Beach, Florida.

"He was the life of the party," said his son Gary Barbera, a prominent Philadelphia car dealer. "He'd light a cigarette, go up front, sing and needle everyone. That's my dad."

Born in 1933, the South Philadelphia native grew up at 13th and Wolf Streets, attended St. Monica's grade school and graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1951.

Barbera learned the value of hard work from his father, Charles, a New York chef who moved to 13th and Wolf to open an Italian restaurant. Eugene worked in the restaurant until he entered the Army in 1955.

His mother, Rose, loved jokes. She'd stay on the phone all day, listening to and telling jokes, then regale the the family at dinner, said Barbera's wife Rita, recalling when her mother-in-law lived with them.

Barbera was honorably discharged from the Army after one year because his parents were ill. He opened Gene's Bar, at Front and Norris Streets in Fishtown.

His parents arranged for him to meet Rita Marianni, of nearby Port Richmond, with her parents' approval.

"He was handsome," said Rita. "He looked like Bobby Darin and sang very well. We all laughed a lot. I love a house with laughter."

Barbera asked Rita's grandfather for permission to marry her and sold his boat to buy an engagement ring. In March, the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary with a trip to Italy.

While living on Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond, the family had a pony, a parrot, dogs and a monkey, who was always getting into trouble.

"My father's mother was blind," recalled son Gino Barbera. "And we had the monkey until he stole her glasses and she was swinging her cane around trying to catch it. The monkey was gone a few days later."

The family later moved to Northeast Philadelphia on Ferndale Street - without as many pets.

Meantime, Barbera had bought the old Palm Theater, on Frankford Avenue near Norris Street, Fishtown, and turned it into the Palm Car Wash.

Cars became Eugene's passion. On the GI Bill, he enrolled in Lincoln Tech, where he studied auto mechanics. Then, he opened a Mobil service station next to the car wash.

"The whole family pumped gas and dried cars," recalled daughter, Rosemary Barbera-Villegas, who now teaches social work at Monmouth University in North Jersey. "When it snowed and iced up, we got better tips."

"I would have to hide if I didn't go to work" as a child, recalled Gary Barbera.

"When I was in third grade, I had to take three buses to go to work," recalled Gino, now a car dealer with his brother, Gary.

Their father was working seven days a week when he bought an abandoned church, across from the car wash, to open an autobody and paint shop.

For years, Barbera kept an Old Model T before his wandering eye lusted after the latest four-wheeler in new-car season. He also owned an Atlantic City taxi company.

Ever since, "we were all fixated on cars," said Barbera-Villegas.

"I'm not in the car business," said son Dr. Charles Barbera, chief of Emergency Services at Reading Hospital and Medical Center in Reading. "I'm the black sheep of the family."

His father set high standards for all his children.

"I was hesitant to come home with less than straight A's," said Charles.

Eugene loved to cook, became a wine aficionado and was the first to grab the bill.

"He told us we could order anything on the menu, just to try it," Charles added. "He really appreciated food and fellowship."

In retirement, he became a golf fanatic and loved cigars, football and the Bustleton Lions Club. He adored his five grandchildren and traveling with his wife.

On a recent trip to Jamaica, the bald retiree had his remaining few hairs braided with beads. Then, he paraded around, showing off his new hairstyle, like he was a celebrity.

Besides his wife and four children, he is survived by his five grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at 9 a.m. today, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 212 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Autism Society of Berks County, Box 6683, Wyomissing, PA 19610. *