METHUEN, Mass. – Lawrence E. Barnes Jr., 79, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at his home. He was born June 1, 1930, in Millinocket, son of the late Lawrence E. Barnes Sr. and Thelma (Goddard) Barnes. He was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1947, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired as captain of Lawrence Fire Department, where he served from 1956 to 1981. Mr. Barnes was a member of Lawrence Local No. 146 Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts; International Association of Fire Fighters; Reliefs Inn; Lawrence Firefighter Retirees Association, of which he was one of the founders and trustee; Lawrence Firefighter Mutual Relief Association; Lawrence Firefighters Credit Union; Lawrence Lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 65; Retirees State, County and Municipal Employee Association of Massachusetts; Arlington Club and Concordia Club. He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret J. (Hill) Barnes; and father of the late James E. Barnes. He is survived by his daughters, Gail Pickles and her husband, John, of Methuen, Mass., and Patricia DeRoche and her husband, James, of Methuen, Mass.; his son, Lawrence E. Barnes III and Maryanne Rainville of Methuen, Mass.; and stepdaughters, Nancy Blase and her husband, Dr. Richard, of Worcester, Mass., Alice Perron and her husband, Kenneth, of Worcester, Mass., and Carolyn Vargas of New York. He is also survived by grandchildren, John DeSantis, Kevin DeSantis, Tara DeRoche, James DeRoche Jr., Michael Barnes, Meredith Rainville and Meaghan Rainville; stepgrandchildren, Kristen Leaver, Jessica Leaver, Whitney Stockwell, Carolyn Vargas, Robert Ruiz, Valentina Ratcliffe, Rinaldo Ratcliffe, Jennie Perron and Kenneth Perron; as well as many great-grandchildren and several cousins. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, at St. Mary Church, Lawrence, Mass. Family and friends may call 4-8 p.m. Monday, March 8, at John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Resident Trust Fund at Wingate at Andover, 80 Andover St., Andover, MA 01841. For more information or to send an online condolence, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
LAWRENCE E. BARNES JR.
