Edward M. Barr Sr., 73, Former Whitman's Official

By Herb Drill, INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
Posted: July 24, 1997

Edward M. Barr Sr., 73, of Southampton, a retired human-resources director who still served on a union board, died Saturday at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Meadowbrook.

He retired in 1990 as human-resources director at Whitman's Chocolate Co. in Northeast Philadelphia. During his 42 years there, he instituted a program to train laborers for higher positions. He also helped found and served as president of a management club at the company, and headed American Red Cross blood drives and United Way fund-raising campaigns.

Mr. Barr was born in Philadelphia and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in 1941. He served in the Army as a sergeant in North Africa and Italy during World War II, receiving a Silver Star, a Purple Heart and other commendations.

He earned a degree in economics from what was then La Salle College in 1948.

He had lived in Southampton for 34 years.

During retirement, he served on the international board of management trustees for the International Brotherhood of Firemen and Oilers in Philadelphia.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marie A. Mancuso Barr; children Mary A., Edward M. Jr., Genevieve C. Nelson, Catherine M. Smith and Elizabeth M. Barr-Casey; a brother; two sisters; and six grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass and burial were held yesterday.

The family suggests contributions to the Kidney Foundation, 325 Chestnut St., Suite 904, Philadelphia 19106.

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