Jack Bares

Mr. Jack Bares, age 91, of Ellicottville, New York died Monday morning, January 9, 2012 at his home.

Born on July 23, 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio he was the son of the late John and Rose Novaty Bares. He was married to the former Alice Werder who survives.

Mr. Bares graduated as an engineer from Cleveland State University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1941-1945 as an officer in Washington, D.C. and responsible for a wide range of hardware and tool procurement during the war effort.

Mr. Bares was founder and President of Milbar Corp., Chagrin Falls, Ohio for 40 years. Milbar manufactured specialty hand tools. Most recently, he was the Chairman of Meritool LLC in Ellicottville, New York, a manufacturer of specialty battery-operated tools.

He was a founding member of the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) in Cleveland, as well as an active member of the Enterprise Development Institute, the Cleveland Growth Association of Cleveland, Ohio, and the Rotary Club, Ellicottville, New York. Most recently, Jack created a foundation to distribute books using an innovative "read-return-renew" method to underprivileged children as well as another foundation to sort and deliver surplus hand tools to technical schools in Central America and Africa.

Surviving with his wife are: his daughter, Mrs. Lori (William) Northrup, Ellicottville, New York; three sons, Mr. John (Leona) Bares, Pittsburgh, PA., Mr. Charles (Elizabeth) Bares, Ellicottville, New York, Mr. Kent (Jeannine) Cavender-Bares, St. Paul, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; one brother, Mr. James (Rosemary) Bares, Gates Mills, Ohio; one sister, Mrs. Betty Juliano, Gates Mills, Ohio; and seventeen nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the United Church of Ellicottville Food Bank Program, P.O. Box 417, Ellicottville, NY 14731.

Condolences can be sent to alice@barespeak.net or mailed to P.O. Box 719, Ellicottville, NY 14731.