Seymour "Sy" Barash

Tree Tag: V0010

Presented By/Date: Mimi Barash Coppersmith

Dates of Birth/Death: May 28, 1927 - February 8, 1975

Dates of Military Service: 1944-1946

Service Branch/Stations: US Marine Corps

Highest Rank: Corporal

Veteran's Hometown: Philadelphia and State College, PA

Who is this Veteran?    On April 24, 1944, Sy Barash shelved his Penn State studies to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps and do his part in World War II. After being trained as a rifle marksman and clerk typist, he headed for the Pacific theater of operations that November. He fought at Okinawa, and later participated in the cleanup after the August 9, 1945, second nuclear bombing at Nagasaki, Japan.

In July 1946, Barash left the Marines with the rank of corporal to pick up his advertising degree at Penn State. He applied the leadership skills he had gained in the military, becoming chapter president for Beta Sigma Rho (now Beta Sigma Beta), and an ROTC cadet sergeant first class. He married fellow Penn Stater Mimi Ungar in 1954, and in 1959 they opened their advertising agency and billboard company in the basement of their Homan Avenue home. Morgan Signs and Barash Advertising grew to include offices in State College, Johnstown, Philadelphia, and Altoona with more than 50 employees.

Well-known in the community as a man who would do anything to help others, he volunteered countless hours to organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and the American Heart Association.

In 1975 at age 48, he lost a two-year battle with lung cancer. Sloan-Kettering doctors speculated that the disease may have been sparked in the life-long non-smoker by exposure to radiation during his service at Nagasaki. For nearly 20 years, the community gathered at the annual Sy Barash Regatta, which benefited the American Cancer Society while honoring his memory and community service.

About this Tribute Tree: Species TBD.

Planting Date: This tree is set to be planted in 2019.

Park Location and GPS Coordinates: Park and tree coordinates will be posted once planted.