Stephen F. Barber, 54, passed away on May 1, 2026. He was born in Leominster to Lois Piepho and the late John Barber. Stephen was a graduate of West Springfield, Class of 1989. While in school, he was a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Senate and the Massachusetts Boystate Representative. He graduated from the UMASS School of Business Management in 1993 and did graduate work at Harvard. Stephen served in the US National Guard for over 10 years. In high school, Stephen was a state heavyweight champion in wrestling along with captain of the football team. Born to be an athlete, he also enjoyed baseball, swimming, hiking and climbing. He would climb everything, whether it be the side of the Jr. High School, First Congo Church, a slate roof in the rain or any tree of interest. Stephen would also hike every year since he was two with a Church Youth Group, up to Mt. Washington for a week.

He was a great storyteller and was born to be a standup comedian. Stephen went on to do some acting in Boston and musical in West Springfield. An avid traveler, he visited Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Canadian Provinces and Bermuda. For work, he excelled as a buyer for Filene's Macy's and BJ's Wholesale before becoming a Regional Manager for the Salvation Army.

Besides his mother Lois Piepho of West Springfield, he leaves his son Tyler Barber, his ex-wife and Tyler's mother Carolyn Quan both of Brookline, his siblings; John Barber Jr., and his wife Kathy of Holden, MA., David Barber and his wife Donna of Ellicott City, MD., Linda Flynn and her husband John of Walnut Creek, CA., step brothers; Karl Piepho of Golden, CO., Henry Piepho and his wife Marsha of Brimfield, MA Richard Piepho and his wife Diana of Forest, VA; step sisters, Karen Markham and her partner Al Roman of Ware, MA., Diane Densmore and her husband David of Lake Luzerne, NY and Julianna Minns-Piepho and her wife Nancy of Monson, MA., his aunts Jean Cross of Salem, NH and Bonita Staples and her husband John of Belfast, ME., along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held SAT May 16, 2026 at 11 AM in the First Congregational Church, 108 Park St., W. Spfld. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Calling Hours will be held from 10 to 11 AM in the church with a luncheon to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the First Congregational Church, 108 Park St., W. Spfld, MA 01089 or to the Salvation Army, 72 Cambridge St., Worcester, MA 01603. The CURRAN-JONES FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS