Paul J. LaBarbera, 74, of 25 East Main St., Mohawk, passed away Saturday morning, Jan. 29, 2005, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica, with his loving family by his side, following a long illness. Paul was born Dec. 18, 1930, in Frankfort, son of Joseph and Rose (Catalina) LaBarbera. He attended school locally. On May 12, 1979, Paul was united in marriage to Rose Inglesby (LaMore) in Mohawk, a blessed and devoted union of 25 years. At one time Paul was employed by MDS in Herkimer. He was a proud member of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Mohawk, Ilion Moose Lodge 1010, the Legion of the Moose and was a recipient of the Fellow Degree of the Moose organization. Paul enjoyed the company and friendship he found at the Herkimer Adult Day Care Center. Faced with medical disabilities all his life, Paul was a fighter who was known to be a gentleman and enjoyed life despite the obstacles. He had a deep appreciation for the work done at the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia, where Paul had been treated with the finest of care. He was content and happy in his life with Rose and their dog, Tanner and cat, Precious. Survivors include his beloved wife, Rose; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Sally Cross of Ogdensburg, Joan and Phil Laubenstein of Little Falls; his brother, Vincent Sgroi of California; his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and many good friends. Paul was predeceased by an infant daughter, Lucille and his brother-in-law, Robert Cross. Paul's funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 2, commencing at 10:30 a.m. at the Graves-Applegate-Day Funeral Home, 48 E. Main St., Mohawk and 11 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Mark Cunningham, sacramental minister, assisted by Sister Mary Jo Tallman, parish life director. Family and friends are invited to visitation Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to funeral services at the Graves-Applegate-Day Funeral Home, Mohawk. The Ilion Moose Lodge 1010 will gather Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home to pay respects. Interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frankfort, will take place this spring at a date and time to be announced. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Dr. V. Sharma for the care and compassion shown to Paul during his illness. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.