Amador Barbosa, 100 years old, passed away at North Kansas City Hospital on July 28, 2022.  For approximately the last three years of his life he resided at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in Liberty, Missouri. His family is grateful for the loving care provided by the nuns and staff of Our Lady of Mercy Country Home. Before that, he grew up in the North End and spent the majority of his life living in the Northeast area. He graduated from Manual High School where he was a varsity letterman in swimming, a skill that would later serve him well during the D-Day Invasion of WWII.

Amador was preceded in death by his parents Francisco (Frank) and Maria Barbosa, and his wife Joann. He is survived by his children Florence Gonzales, Edward Barbosa (Susan McMillen) and Angela Barbosa. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren in California, where a later celebration of life will be held.

Amador was drafted into the Army on January 8, 1942, at the age of 21.  He had no reservations about serving his country and the experience helped shape his entire adult life.  After basic training, he was schooled for months in demolition, explosives, aviation machining and many other skills. He joined the 112th Combat Engineer Battalion in the south of England. Their mission was to clear the English beaches of mines, underwater obstacles, and barbed wire from previous encounters in order for the infantry division to perform mock invasions on the shoreline in preparation for the D-Day Invasion. On D-Day Amador was assigned to a boat carrying 1,500 pounds of TNT and he was given the duty of lugging 30 pounds of TNT onto Omaha Beach.  Because he was a good swimmer, he was able to carry his load and assist another soldier with his equipment in the choppy waters.

After Normandy, his battalion headed into Northern France near the front lines, where their daily duties were rigorous, including guarding prisoners and clearing away more mines.  On one occasion he climbed into a burning trailer full of explosives with four other men to keep the entire trailer from exploding.

For facing such dangerous situations with courage and dignity he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and Soldiers' Medal, as well as a Presidential Unit Citation Badge for his part in the invasion of Normandy. He was honorably discharged on October 26, 1945, and returned to the states to the same business that employed him prior to entering the Army.  After his stint in the Army, he was a member of the American Legion and other service-related organizations.  For years he played taps at Memorial Day ceremonies held at the Liberty Memorial and helped organize services for deceased veterans who requested military funerals.  He was proud but humble about his service to his country.

Services and burial will be private for family members and a few friends. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Our Lady of Mercy Country Home. Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com