Login | May 29, 2025
Judge Barbuto laid to rest
ASHLEY C. HEENEY
Legal News Reporter
Published: October 13, 2011
Judge James V. Barbuto was laid to rest last Friday at Holy Cross Cemetery, 100 E. Waterloo Road in Akron after a mass of Christian burial at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in North Hill, where he was a longtime parishioner and friend of Rev. James V. Ragoni.
Barbuto died Oct. 4 at age 91, the last of his five siblings, who preceded him in death.
His career in the legal community began as the City of Akron law director. He later became Summit County Prosecutor, Summit County Common Pleas Judge and Summit County Probate Judge, a post immediately filled by Republican Judge Bill Spicer after a late 1970s office sex scandal amidst county corruption that became Barbuto’s public scar, though he was acquitted.
Also a restaurateur, he worked at his brother’s Bun Restaurant and later Barbuto owned Dodies and Dales until his retirement in 1990.
A life long member of the Carovillese Society and Italian Businessmen, Barbuto, after honorable discharge from WWII, worked for the URW and was the leader of the Democratic Party in Akron, contributing help on campaigns for JFK, John Glenn and Richard Celeste.
In retirement, he volunteered for the American Cancer Society and drove patients to local hospitals for treatments, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and enjoyed playing golf.
Barbuto is survived by children, Lori (Kevin) Leady of Stow, Bari (Camille) Barbuto of Norton; grandsons Clinton James Leady and Nicola (Nick) Lead, his companion, Maureen (Mo) Bowers and her children Cindi (Rob) Bunting, Scott (Betsy) Bowers, and Tracy (Mike) Cornwell, extended family Tom (Patti) Barbuto, Steve (Maggie) Barbuto, Mark (Rose) Barbuto, William Barbuto, Linda (Jerry Buckey), Rosie Hartley, Nancy (Gary) Nonemaker; his former wife of 30 years, Mary C. Gardiner; 10 great-nieces and nephews and seven great-great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
Contributions can be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service at 3358 Ridgewood Road in Copley Township.