David J. Barbuto, 88

LACONIA — David Joseph Barbuto, 88, of Weirs Boulevard, passed away Wednesday, July 19, at Concord Hospital in Laconia with his family by his side.

He was born July 24, 1934, in Medford, Massachusetts, to the late Anthony and Mary Zaia Barbuto.

David graduated from Belmont (Massachusetts) High School and was awarded the Charles Hadden Memorial Scholarship. He studied architecture at Wentworth Institute and mechanical engineering at MIT’s Lowell Institute. He was a graduate of the GE Apprentice Program in Lynn, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Air Force in the Critically Skilled Reserve program. He served in active duty, along with eight years in the Reserves.

David was a true entrepreneur who shared his love and knowledge of engineering, metal working, inventing, jobbing, wood working, tinkering, and being a small business owner with the many individuals with whom he networked over a very busy lifetime. David was a self-made man who started his first business in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the 1960s with $500. He worked that business up to two very successful manufacturing businesses employing as many as 70 people. His patented rotor valve used in the petro-chemical industries was the basis of Quality Controls Inc. Barco Engineering was a job shop which manufactured parts for both high tech and low tech industries throughout the US.

He sold the two businesses in 2000 giving him time to focus on his retirement businesses of Tilton Trailer Rental Corp., Breakheart Tool Co., and his many rental properties. During those years, thanks to wonderful employees, he managed to work while “on the road” traveling by car, train, plane and cruise ship. By far the greatest trips involved trains. He and his wife went on several trips with the National Railroad Museum to destinations throughout the country. Car trips often took them exploring New England, Florida, and the Southwest. Other car trips included attending The Society of Industrial Archeology meetings and visitations to historical sites in New England.

With time Tilton Trailer grew and grew and soon seemed to be more than a "retirement” business. He sold that company in 2018 so his wife and he could spend more time together enjoying each day. He continued to invent and work on projects in his home shop while also managing the rental properties.  

When asked what he felt his greatest accomplishment was, he said “helping others when they needed it, whether with advice, kind words, or financial support.” Although he never stopped thinking, working, reading machinist magazines, or looking for a better deal, it was his love of life, optimism, belief that you can do anything you set your mind to, and his appreciation of everyone around him that helped him live this long life.   

David is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 33 years, Barbara (Hatch) Barbuto, his son Daniel James of Tilton, his daughter Debra of Winchester, Massachusetts, grandson Lucas Souza of Manchester, sister Vilma (John) Herrick of Portland, Maine, brother John E. Barbuto of Franklin, New Hampshire, and many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his son David (DJ) Barbuto, Jr., brother Arthur (Mary) Barbuto, and his sisters Helen (Leno) Linteris and Doris Barbuto.

A calling hour will be held from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, at the St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave., Laconia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. following calling hours.  

Burial will follow at Bayside Cemetery, Union Avenue, Laconia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Medical Center, 100 McGregor St, Manchester, NH 03102 for use of the New England Heart & Vascular Institute with gratitude for giving David 25 more years of a full life; or to a charity of your choice.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.