Kingston - Joseph Charles Barbagallo, 82, of Kingston, NH, transitioned to the other side of the veil on May 15, 2026, surrounded by love, his wife Kathy, family, and friends.

Born in Lawrence, Joseph was the son of the late Joseph and Katherine (Amorelli) Barbagallo. He was raised in Lawrence and Methuen, and was a graduate of Methuen High School and Lowell Technical College.

During the summers, Joe resided at Salisbury Beach as a child and during most of his adult life.

​Joseph participated in the ROTC, which led to his service as a Captain in the United States Air Force. While stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, he was the Officer in charge of the communication system for Air Force One. Following his military service, Joseph's career spanned an assortment of positions in electronics engineering and sales before he eventually worked alongside his father.

​Joe possessed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and had an intrinsic ability to fully understand the complexities of the world around him. By combining this skill, his career experience and his endless passion for reading, Joseph envisioned the plan to create Colony Foods. His intention was to partner with his brothers, his nephew and his two sons. In 1989, alongside his two brothers, Michael Barbagallo and Paul David Barbagallo, Joseph's dream came to fruition. Colony Foods continues to thrive to this day, where his brother Paul, sons and nephew carry on his legacy.

Joe had many interests and hobbies, ranging from tuna fishing to collecting and sharing his passion for electric trains. As an avid photographer, Joe captured so much of his rich life in the photos he took. He enjoyed the culture of school. He attended the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Also there, going back to his engineering roots, he lectured the students on using poetry as an engineering tool. Called back to school again in his 70's, he shared the University of New Hampshire campus with his granddaughter.

At the very top of his list of passions was his love for writing poetry. The thoughts and emotions he expressed through his writings colored his life, and all who knew him were painted by this palette of vulnerability, love, and kindness. Joe deeply believed that poetry was a catalyst for creation. He ultimately published a collection of his poems titled, *Figures from the Bottom of My Heart: A Poetic Life Journey*.

Joseph Charles Barbagallo was a massive life force who made an immense impact on so many lives. His influence will continue to find us through the simple, everyday moments he loved: traveling near and far, boating on the lake, spending time at the beach or on the Merrimack River, taking car rides, delivering Dilly Bars, enjoying a meal, trips to the ice cream store, attending games and graduations, weddings, seeing a play, or watching his grandchildren be the stars of their own recitals and performances.

Joe embodied and leaves additionally to his legacy the example of a man of wisdom, peace and whose life felt like poetry before the words ever reached the page. A soul which profoundly carried the kind of grace that cannot be taught, depth that can only be lived, and a presence that made people feel calmer, safer, more seen, and somehow more connected to what truly matters.

​A Poet in spirit and in truth, Joe was a quiet laureate of life. He was a keeper of beauty, memory, tenderness, and meaning. A voice carrying the wisdom, gentleness, and soul that this world so deeply needs.

​Joe lived richly, loved deeply, and traveled far. He built beauty and created a life touched by wonder, refinement, experience, and devotion. An amazing husband, a loving father, a cherished grandfather, and a steadfast provider, he was a man whose love clearly shaped the lives around him in lasting, meaningful ways.

​He had a depth that was noble; One filled with reverence and a softness joined with strength, a kindness joined with character, and a peace joined with purpose. He was one of those souls beloved not only by people, but by God, by the natural world, by animals, and by the unseen beauty that moves quietly through all living things.

​Joe was a man of peace on this planet, which is no small feat, it is sacred; Lived a life many would admire beyond all accomplishments. What stands out most about him is that he was loving, wise, grounded, peaceful, generous, and deeply, deeply human in the most beautiful way.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Kathy (Welch) Barbagallo of Kingston, NH; his sons, Derek Barbagallo and his wife Michele of Atkinson, NH and Joseph Barbagallo and his wife Nicole of Andover. He also leaves his grandchildren, Taylor and her husband Jared Hall, Nicole Barbagallo, Mia Barbagallo, Joseph Anthony Barbagallo, Charles Barbagallo, Ryan Devaney, and Adam Devaney, Kathy's mother Annette Higgins, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis (Manzi) Barbagallo, and Kathy's father Patrick Welch.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, MA, with military honors rendered at 7:00pm. An Open Yard Bigger Than Life Celebration will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at Joe and Kathy's Home. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.cataudellafh.com