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Joseph Barata, 89, Of Southport

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Joseph George Barata of Southport, formerly of Weston, died Oct. 28. He was 89.

He was born June 10, 1923, in Trenton, N.J., to George Alexander and Florence Saytos Barata. He attended Trenton public schools and received a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Columbia College in 1944.

In 1945, he earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Barata wrote the lyrics for many school musicals and reported for the Associated Press on Columbia College sports.

Barata began his professional career as assistant public relations director for Columbia University and reported for the Associated Press New York Bureau, The New York Times and the New York Herald Tribune.

He later worked in advertising and public relations at Douglas Leigh, Inc., and Milburn McCarty Associates. He spent roughly a decade as a securities analyst and institutional broker at Riter, Pyne, Kendall & Hollister.

He specialized in financial and corporate public relations and held senior positions at Inmont Corporation, Grey Public Relations, Daniel J. Edelman Inc., John DeNigris Associates Inc., Van Leeuwen Advertising Inc., Burson-Marsteller and Fred Rosen Associates.

While Barata continued to work as a corporate and financial public relations consultant, he reported for The Wall Street Transcript and sister papers, Diplomatic World Bulletin and Delegates World Bulletin.

Barata was a member of the Weston Board of Education, a trustee of the Kathleen Laycock Country Day School and board member of the Mosswood Condominium Association. He was a 50-year member of the Country Club of Fairfield.

He is survived by a son, George James Barata, of Watsonville, Calif.; a daughter, Evelyn Flora Louise Barata (Clarence “Chick” III) Lee, of Southport; and three granddaughters. He was predeceased by his wife, Ellen "Tracey" Louise Morrison Barata; two sisters, Anna A. Barata and Julia Barata Powers.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

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