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Retired NJ state trooper dies from complications relating to 9/11 rescue efforts

WEST TRENTON, NJ – Colonel Patrick J. Callahan has announced the tragic loss of retired New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Gerald T. Barbato #2939, who died as a result of an illness contracted while serving in the line of duty in response to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

He passed away at his home on Monday, Jan. 16.

Lieutenant Barbato was a member of the 90th State Police Class and served the citizens of New Jersey for 30 years before retiring in June of 2004. His last assignment with the State Police was with the Criminal Investigation Office.

Lieutenant Barbato is survived by his wife of 39 years Deborah Barbato, his beloved children Gerald T. Jr. and his wife Anne Marie, Gillian Scott and her husband Jeffrey, and Tyler Barbato, his grandchildren, Jesse Taylor Scott and Jonah Alexander Scott, his brother Nicholas and his wife Gerarda, and his sisters Diane, Nancy, Susan, and Marianne, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He was 71 years old.

Visitation will be on Monday, Jan. 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 10:00am at St. James RC Church, 94 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701. Interment will be in the Barbato family plot at Fairview Cemetery, Middletown, 07748.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Oral Surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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