The world has lost a true, good, kind and loveable man. John Vincent Barnes, Jr., 80 years old, died peacefully after a short, valiant fight against the scourge that is cancer. John was born July 26, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA. A large part of his early childhood was spent shuttling between Brooklyn, New Jersey and various parts of Queens. At age 15 he settled in Whitestone, Queens. John has spent the last 40 years in his beloved Norwood, NJ where he served, for 20 years, on the Board of Adjustment. Before he retired, John was a sales engineer in the elevator industry. He spent close to half a century working in that field, first with O. Thompson, Otis Elevator Company, and GAL Manufacturing Company. He spent 28 years at GAL doing a job that he loved for a company that he loved, so we have to say he never worked a day in his life because of that love. He also was a founding member of the Optimist Club and a proud member of the Norwood American Legion. He always said the 4 years he spent in the United States Air Force helped him so much in his life. He coached his 3 children’s sport teams and was an integral part of their lives and the life of the community.
John met his wife of 53 years in Long Beach, Long Island, where they still have a summer home. He loved Long Beach and the people on California Street. No one was a better father and grandfather to his three children, Jackie (John Douglas), Jennifer (John Reeves) and John Vincent Barnes III. He was everything to his 5 grandchildren, Lauren, Jack, and Jessie Reeves, as well as Meghan and Sean Douglas, and they were everything to him. During the course of a happy and fulfilling marriage Linda and John made treasured friends, traveled the world, and spent many happy times supporting NYC theater. John was an avid reader and the Norwood Library has lost a very loyal customer. John touched and inspired so many and leaves behind a beautiful legacy.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Visiting hours are Thursday 3-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave., Northvale (201-767-3050).
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to the American Legion College Scholarship Fund, 480 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 07648.
Rest in peace, sweet, sweet man.
pizzifuneralhome.com
May his soul rest in peace. May strength be the shadow to the entire Barnes Family.
What a lost to the world. John was my mentor in G.A.L manufacturing company, all I know is because of him. John taught me more then just the job he taught me about responsibility. We ran a three man operation with him leading the pack and he made sure that I just didn’t do the job but learn the job which is something I now handed down to the worker beneath me. His death really hit me hard because of the why he treated me as his apprentice. One day he said to me I got a simple recipe for you. Take dry after cooked add a pinch of butter and some parcel or oregano and you got yourself a quick meal which funny still to this day I still eat. John my friend my mentor I love you may you Sleep In Peace
Oh, Wendell, that was so beautiful. I know how much John cared about you and how much he loved you. He thought you were a bright, capable person and loved being a mentor to you. Your words fill us up with both love and loss. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart and please know John always had a special place in his heart for you.
Linda