Gus was a 1942 graduate of Versailles High School, and served in the US Army Co A 202nd Combat Engineer during World War II. Civically, he was a long-time local volunteer fireman, and member of Knights of Columbus, Lions Club and VFW. Gus and Norma were Poultry Days Honorary Parade Marshals in 2005.
Gus began pumping gas in 1938 while still in high school and eventually purchased the Versailles Oil and Gas Co business from his father in 1957. The business was a full service gas station while also delivering fuel to the surrounding area. His wife Norma served as secretary/treasurer for the business. In October 2008 Gus retired from the business.
Over the years, Gus’s was the local place to chat or get the latest news. Gus held court, told a story or two, dispensed nicknames, and monitored the language patrol; many a young man and woman were the beneficiaries of “Gus’s Wisdom”. Gus Barga and his service station were very much a part of growing up in Versailles.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 10:30 AM at St. Denis Catholic Church, Versailles, Ohio, with Rev. Fr. James Simons celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Valbert Catholic Cemetery Versailles, Ohio, with military honors conducted by Versailles Veterans Honor Guard. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 13, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 PM as well as Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 AM at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio. Should they choose, friends may make memorial contributions to the Versailles Baseball Diamond Club, or Friends of Hole Field Versailles, Ohio. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com
