Justin “Peanut” J. LaBar, 87, died at home in Freemansburg on July 20, 2024. Born in Freemansburg, he was a son of the late Luther J. and Eleanor (DiJirolanio) LaBar. He was the husband of the late Catherine “Sue” A. (Hottenstein) LaBar for 63 years.

He was a 1954 graduate of Liberty H.S. and attended Bethlehem Vo-tech where he was a member of the vo-tech tumbling team.

He worked at Bethlehem Steel until he enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

He then opened LaBar’s Garage, which he operated at three different locations in Freemansburg for 63 years. He also was a machine maintenance mechanic for Champion Spark Plug, formerly in Hellertown. He was employed by Northampton County Parks at Louise Moore Park until the fall of 2023 at age 86.

He served on two separate seatings of the Freemansburg Borough Council, most currently as chair of the Borough Parks and Recreation. He played and coached baseball for the Freemansburg Bethlehem Township Athletic Association. He was a member and former president of the Steel City Gun Club until it closed in 2022. He was a member of the Heights A.A., Independent Citizens, Jefferson Democratic, Wanderers and Grover Cleveland clubs and of the Volunteer Fire Company and the American Legion, both of Freemansburg.

He is survived by two daughters, Sabrina A. and her husband Kenneth L. Diefenderfer of Bethlehem and Justine A. and her husband Jonathan M. Rossi of Freemansburg; a sister, Eleanor and her husband Gary Reese of Northampton; six grandchildren, Jessika, BreeAna, Zoe, Justin, Juliana and Ian; a great-grandson, Saint; nieces; nephews; and godchildren.

He was predeceased by a brother, Luther “Sam” J. LaBar.

Contributions may be made to the Borough of Freemansburg Parks and Recreation, 600 Monroe St., Freemansburg, PA 18017.

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.