Theodore Gibbs Barlow

State Supreme Court Justice Theodore G. Barlow, 73, a former Staten Island resident whose career in public life spanned 20 years, died Friday while undergoing prostate surgery in Scottsdale (Ariz.) Memorial Hospital.

Described as one of Staten Island's most able jurists, he served on the State Supreme Court from 1968 until 1982 when he made the decision to retire after suffering a stroke.

During his years on the bench, Judge Barlow earned a reputation for honesty, integrity and impartiality. An Advance editorial written after the announcement of his retirement described the judge as a hard-working and sensitive jurist who was never afraid to take on the most controversial cases.

Elected to the State Supreme Court in 1968, Judge Barlow had been endorsed by the Democratic, Republican, Liberal and Conservative parties. Two other Staten Islanders, John A. Gabarino and Vito J. Titone, were also elected to the State Supreme Court. many ocnsidered this an historic election since so few Island judges had served on the bench.

Judge Barlow was often the first to appear in the county courthouse in St. George at the start of each work day.

"I recall his arriving early each morning to get a jump on his calendar and to enjoy a special camaraderie with those with whom he worked," said retired Advance reporter Raymond Wittek, who covered the State Supreme Court for more than 25 years, spanning Barlow's entire term in office. Wittek said Barlow never tolerated nonsense in his courtroom. The judge, who was

serious about punctuality, often took tardy lawyers to task.

Active with the Island Democratic County Committee, Judge Barlow was appointed chairman of its law committee in 1965. Through the Democratic Committee, he made the acquaintance of John D. Kearney, public administrator of Staten Island.

"He was considered an outstanding jurist," said Kearney of his friend. "He was considered by judges, attorneys and lay people as very brilliant and very much a student of the law."

In fact, Judge Barlow was regarded among lawyers as a "book man" because he frequently did his own research.

He was known as a "lawyers judge," said State Supreme Court Judge Peter P. Cusick.

"He was a student of the law. He enjoyed wrestling with legal problems. He was a great example for me," Judge Cusick said.

Bruce Behrins, a lawyer and past president of the Richmond County Bar Association, tried many cases before Judge Barlow.

"He was one of the finest trial court judges over to grace the bench anywhere," Behrins said.

Although Judge Barlow handled virtually every type of criminal and civil case, the one that many say brought him the most satisfaction was his mediation of a 1973 strike that threatened to close the former Richmond Memorial Hospital. The 14-day strike ended with a settlement only after extensive negotiations in the judge's New Brighton home.

In 1953, he was the unsuccessful insurgent candidate for the Democratic nomination for City Council, losting to Albert V. Maniscaloco, who later became a borough president.

Before his election to the State Supreme Court, Judge Barlow was appointed in 1962 as the legal assistant to Surrogate Frank D. Paulo, who died in 1981.

Prior to that, he had a private law practice on Staten Island and was a partner in the law firm of Barlow, Millard, Amann and Holzka.

As a Yale University and Curtis High School graduate, Judge Barlow had planned to go into the diplomatic service. As a combat intelligence officer with the 8th Air Force in England during World War IIfrom 1942 to 1945, the young captain changed his mind about the attractions of being far from home.

Judge Barlow graduated from Harvard Law School in 1948, the same year he was admitted to the New York State Bar.

Born in Brooklyn, he was brought to West Brighton as an infant. He later lived in Grymes Hill and New Brighton, where he resided for 20 years before moving to Scottsdale.

An economics lecturer at Wagner College, Judge Barlow had a passion for reading, especially books about history. He had been a champion tennis player as a youth.

The judge was a member of the Staten Island Unit of the American Cancer Society.

His wife, the former Doris Hogan, died in 1989.

Surviving are two daughters, Susan Broggi and Elizabeth Grant; a sister, Patricia Belcher, and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be ehld tomorrow in the Messinger Funeral Home, Scottsdale. Cremation will follow.

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