Gordon Barnes
December 2, 1936 to February 18, 2018
Obituary
With deep sadness but with abiding gratitude for his wonderful life, we announce the passing of Gordon Barnes, surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, February 18th. For him, joy was found in family and in service. Gordon’s career was one of dedicated public service in many areas, including the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Memorial University, and Government House. He loved his province and his country as much as he did his family, always willing to put them ahead of himself. He will be profoundly missed.
Predeceased by his parents, Charles and Stella Barnes, sister Lorna Butler, and brother Fred Barnes, he leaves to mourn Louise (Janes), his wife of 58 years; children Don (Trudy), Nancy (Milo Nikolic), Peter (Shelly), Heather Smith (Rob), and Carla Gaulton (Brian); grandchildren Caroline (Zack Hawco), Stephanie, Kerry, Duncan, Rosie, and April; great-granddaughter Kali; sister Joan Sears; sister and brother-in-law Connie and Jim Winter; sister- and brother-in-law Bernice and Aubrey Rogers; brother- and sister-in-law Harold and Pam Janes; brother-in-law Frank Noseworthy; and a wide circle of nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the staff of CCU at the Health Sciences Centre, for the care, compassion, and respect shown to Gordon and his family.
Relatives and friends may visit the family at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Tuesday, February 20th, and Wednesday, February 21st, from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at The Carnell Memorial Chapel on Thursday, February 22nd, at 11 a.m. Inurnment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Flowers gratefully accepted. Donations in Gordon’s memory can be made to the Health Care Foundation.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on February 20, 2018
7-9 p.m. on February 20, 2018
2-4 p.m. on February 21, 2018
7-9 p.m. on February 21, 2018
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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funeral
11:00am, Thursday February 22nd
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
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Deepest sympathy
i am so sorry about Gordon’s passing..he was a wonderful person, God has gotten a special angel..
Marilyn Pike ( Anthony.)
B General Barnes
Canada has lost a true citizen. His commitment to his family, the Province of Newfoundland , the Military Community of Newfoundland along with his Regiment, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment leaves a great space in our lives.
I have know Gordon for a number of years having worked together and enjoyed his professional gualities and his friendly manner in a social setting.. A gentleman and a scholar.
A Robie MacDonald B Gen (Retd)
Hey everyone
So sorry to hear of Gords passing; may the warm memories of him comfort you in this difficult time.
God bless you all.
Love Freddie and Vanessa
To Louise and all your family,
Losing a loved one is always hard and the more you love, the more you will grieve. May you take comfort and lean on each other as you pass through this difficult time of loss. Gordon will be in your fondest memories for always. He contributed so much to so many.
With my deepest sympathy
Judy Isakovic (sister of Betty Barnes)
Mississauga
For the families of or friend Gordon.
I just heard of the passing of our friend Gordon. On behalf of our Marine Atlantic Pensioners group we express our condolence for you and your families. Please be assured of our prayers for you all at this time. Gordon was a great support to our Pensioners group at the Railway Coastal Museum. I also had support from and with Gordon putting together nominations paper for the Manning Award for the Railway Coastal Museum Project which was successful and awarded Gordon will be missed by us.. God’s Blessings as you lay your loved one to rest.
Rod Keeping
President Marine Atlantic Pensioners Association, St Johns.
Nancy ,Milo And Barnes family.. so sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult
time. God Bless
Condolences to the family of Gordon Barnes. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Gordon over the past number of years through my work with the Grand Concourse. He was always a friendly voice while talking on the phone as well as in person when we met. He will surely be missed. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Mary & Darrell Finn
Carla Brian & Family so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing .Thinking of you always????
Kerry & Family,
So sorry to hear about your pop’s/dad’s passing away. We are sure he was a wonderful man. You will always have wonderful memories of him in your hearts ! Our prayers & thoughts are with you all at this difficult time!
Ros & Harrison White
Dear Louise, Don, Nancy, Peter, Heather, Carla, Caroline, Stephanie, Kerry, Duncan, Rosie, April, Kali, Connie and Joan, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear husband, grandfather, great- grandfather and brother, Gordon. He was like a brother to me , too and I loved him dearly. He and Fred were so close and I treasure the many precious memories of our visits with him and your family . There was always lots of love and laughter! Those memories will forever hold a special place in my heart and I am so grateful for them. Gordon was a wonderful man and I am thankful to have known him. I am sorry because of my health that I am not able to be with you in person but I will always be with you in spirit and you are forever in my prayers.. May God bless you all and give you His comfort, peace , love, strength and hope for the future. I’d like to share with you some words from ”The Right Words to Comfort You”, a book which I bought just after Fred’s passing . I have found it to be very comforting and I have shared it with others who are grieving, who have also found it a consolation . ”A life has ended but the loving memory of that precious life will remain forever in our hearts and minds .” – Though your heart is breaking, know that God’s love can bring happiness in time.” Also, I’d like to share with you some precious words from Psalm 23, which I have always treasured: ” The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want He makes me to lie down in green pastures ; He leads me beside still waters . He restores my soul ; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names’ sake . Yea , though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me .”
Psalm 23; 1-4. My heart is breaking, too and I have been shedding many tears but I am grateful for the memories of Gord and the love we all share for him. I know that God will always be our ”shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble’, so we don’t have to be afraid – just trust Him.. Love and prayers, Betty
Mrs. Barnes and family
We were so saddened to hear about Mr. Barnes’s passing. We had the opportunity to meet Mr. Barnes when Norm was recently a patient
at the Health Sciences Center on 5 South A. Mr. Barnes was a very kind gentleman.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult
time. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Regards,
Norm and Sandra Williams
To Louise & Family
Gordon and I were close friends working together with UIC in Buckmasters Field, just off Pennywell Rd. It was Gordon that introduced me to my wife, Ruth Thomas in 1957. He and I travelled seperate career paths, but a few years ago, Ruth and I had a brief reunion with him at the Railway Museum on a visit to St. John,s. He was a man of the utmost character, and well remembered by us both. Our sincere sympathy on your loss.
Angus and Ruth Coffen Sydney N S
Dear Don, Trudy and family,
Don, I was sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I hope your wonderful memories carry all of you through the difficult times and put smiles in your hearts.
Dear Louise & Family
Our sincere love and sympathy to you and your family at this sad time in your lives.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Alex & Florence Cowan
Condolences to Gordon’s family. I met him years ago while working on a plan for the Newfoundland T’Railway, and later in his work with the Railway Coastal Museum. He was a dedicated volunteer and interested citizen.
Dear Aunt Louise, my cousins, great aunts, and the rest of the family,
Our sincere condolences to you all. I didn’t know my Uncle Gordon as well as I should have, but I wanted to let you know that I have always thought of him as a kind man who has been a great example to us and the wider community for committing fully to family and for using our time and skills to elevate the world around us. He will be missed.
With affection and respect,
Rhonda Normore and Jason Howard (and our children Seamus and Cara)
My condolences to the Barne’s family on Gordon’s passing. I had many dealings with Gordon in his capacity as Private Secretary to the lieutenant governor. He was always helpful and a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during their time of sorrow.
Don,Trudy & all the Barnes family. We were sorry
to hear of your father’s passing. May the memories
of your wonderful time spent together help you
all in the days ahead.
So sorry to hear of your loss , thinking of you at this difficult time.
Louise and Family. I treasure having known Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel & Brigadier General Gordon C Barnes. He was definitely a man who put the Regiment and the NL Militia very high on his priority list. And he sewed seeds along with Peter Bradley & Wayne Foster to make it the finest Regiment anywhere these days. And he was a man of great integrity, intelligence, kindness, humour, understanding and who knew the meaning of dignity. He will certainly be welcomed by all those Regimental members gone before and by all left behind.
God rest his soul and bestow upoon him eternal peace.
Mrs. Barnes, Don , Peter, and rest of the family I’m sorry to hear passing of your husband and father. I known Mr. Barnes many years in Air Cadets. military reserves, and instructor while I was doing a university course in 2001. No matter though out the years I known him he always treated me with upmost respect. I am going to miss him my thoughts and prayers for all, Chris
Connie,and all the family: Condolences on Gord’s passing.It’s a long time since we were neighbors in Kelligrews and while memories dim over the years,they never completely disappear.May he rest in peace.Geraldine and Dan Roache.
Louise and family, please accept our sincere condolences on Gordon’s passing. We are both truly saddened.
I always enjoyed Gordon’s company in the many activities we shared. He was “one of the good guys,” as he would say to me about someone he liked and admired. Gordon was liked and admired by all who knew him.
We are currently out of the country, but please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Don, Trudy and Family, Please accept our sincere condolences on your Dad’s passing. May you be comforted by many wonderful memories. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Bridget and Robin
Peter, so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing.
Craig
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have the deepest respect for Gordon and he will be missed.
Louise and family my condolences on your loss.
Gordon was a dear and true friend and I will treasure the memories spent with him at Government House and the twenty one years with the Corp of Commissionaires.
Rest well my friend.
Louise and family;
Please accept my condolences on Gordon’s passing. He was a true gentleman, scholar, consumate professional and a dear friend.
Dear Aunt Louise, Peter, Carla, Heather, Donnie, and Nancy (and your families): my sincere condolences on Uncle Gord’s passing. He was a good man whose intelligence and warmth I still remember fondly. Thinking of you and wishing you peace.
Brigadier General Gordon Barnes was a great leader and mentor for those of us who aspired to be leaders in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Canadian Armed Forces. His intelligence and resolve, coupled with kindness and understanding, contributed greatly to his success and that of us who served with him. We will remember him.
Aunt Louise, Donnie, Nancy, Peter, Heather, Carla and families. I am so sorry to hear of Uncle Gord’s passing. I have so many warm memories of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May your wonderful memories help you get through this very difficult time. Love to you all.
Brenda
Louise and the Barnes Family – saddened by the news of Gordon’s passing. Our paths crossed many times at Government House and more recently at the Railway Coastal Museum, I am unable to visit at this time but please know I am thinking of you all.
Kind regards,
Dale
Carla and family,
Much love to Mr Barnes and to you all. Our sincerest condolences. Here for anything that you need. xo
My dear, dear friends:
I will always have fond memories of your Father. While I have no words to ease your grief, may you all find comfort in the simple presence of family and friends and the many wonderful memories you will hear recounted in the forthcoming days.
With deepest sympathies,
Bob Fardy
Ajax, ON