Obituary of John W. Babb

John W. Babb, Jr, 79, of St. Augustine, Fl., and formerly of the Hudson Valley in New York, passed away peacefully, on the morning of November 19, 2023 at the Bailey Family Center for Community Hospice, in St. Augustine.

Born on November 27, 1943, in Morristown, NJ, to June (Hill) Babb and John W Babb, Sr. who predeceased him, John grew up to become an avid and gifted musician, first forming “The Argoes” which morphed into a group called “The Goodtimes”, who went on to have a fairly successful career.  John served as their bass guitarist and back-up vocalist as they traveled across the country through the mid-60’s, garnering the attention of many in the music industry, including Sammy Davis Jr.. The Goodtimes were well-known particularly in the NY metropolitan area and in the Hudson Valley, playing regularly at the old Trade Winds in Newburgh, NY. His love for music was omnipresent in his life even after he left The Goodtimes, often busting out an acoustic guitar on weekends and holidays as he raised his family. When not playing or listening to music, he enjoyed time hunting, fishing and working on his car or motorcycle. 

John worked as a Service Tech for Black Box Communications for 26 years before retiring in 2005.

John is survived by his only son, Christopher Babb and his wife Lisah of Poughkeepsie, NY and his two grandchildren, Olivia Rose and Gavin Babb, also of Poughkeepsie, NY.  Also surviving is the mother of his son, Cheryl Babb of Poughkeepsie. John’s wife of his last nine years, Christine (Macri) Babb, survives at their home in St. Augustine, Fla. where he had hoped to enjoy time in the warmer weather. 

Visitation will be held at Timothy Doyle Funeral Home, 389 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, on Monday, November 27, 2023 from 2pm to 6 pm. Burial will take place at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Randolph, NJ at a later date.