Stephen J. Barlow

Stephen J. Barlow, 63 of Shrewsbury was peacefully placed into the arms of God by his loving family at home on August 19, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Steve is survived by his beloved wife of thirty four 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; aunts, uncles and cousins. Steve was born in Clinton, MA 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 thirty years when he began working for J.F. White Contracting Co. of Framingham. He was a project manager, the Chief Operating Officer and most recently 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 including 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 on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester Stephen's funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Liberty Church, 495 Hartford Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA 01545, (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 Road, 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 Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. To share your thoughts and memories of Steve, please visit his personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com.