Richard B. Barnes, 90, of Bethany, husband of the late Ruth Single Barnes, passed away on February 7, 2024 at the VA Hospital in West Haven. Born on September 3, 1933 in Hackensack, NJ to the late Warren and Anna Daw Barnes. After graduating from high school in New Jersey, Richard was drafted into the US Army. Besides performing his military duties, he toured with the Second Army Band. He graduated college with a BSME. After marrying the love of his life, to whom he was married for 65 years, they settled in New Jersey to raise their family. In 1968 the Barnes family moved to Bethany, CT in order for Richard to open his own business, NERPCO Manufacturing Company. He ran his business for the next 35 years until retirement when his son Steven took over. Music was a huge part of Richard's life. Besides having a beautiful singing voice, he was very talented with the clarinet and saxophone. For many years he was a member of the choir at Trinity Evangelical Free Church. In 1993, Richard formed the Cantilena Trio. This clarinet, cello, piano group enjoyed performing for almost 10 years throughout New England. During his later years, Richard shared his love of music and gift with residents in local nursing homes.
Richard will be lovingly remembered by his five sons and their wives, Russell and Priscilla of Orange, David of Cheshire, Kurt and Marion of PA, Steven and Lancy of Bethany, and Mark and Lynda of RI; his brother Fred Barnes of VT; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his siblings, Doris Dall'Ava and Warren Barnes.
Friends are invited to visit with Richard's family on Thursday, February 15th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial in Carrington Cemetery, Bethany.