John (Jack) Rexford Barnes, 86, of Otisfield, died Aug. 17, 2022, in Bridgton after cardiovascular disease complicated by a COVID-19 infection.
John was born Nov. 19, 1935, in Hamden, New Haven, Conn., the son of Rexford Daniel and Dorothy E. (Quitek) Barnes. He married Shirley (Ellingwood) Barnes on March 25, 1961 in West Paris. He was a graduate of Hamden High School in Connecticut.
John is a veteran who served in the US Army from 1955-1958 and spent two winters in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the US Army Reserve in 1963. John received a BS degree from the University of Maine (Orono) in 1961 and an MS degree from Rutgers University in 1964, both in Entomology. Besides his home state, John has lived in NJ, NY and Maine.
John was employed at the Connecticut Research Farm’s Entomology Department, the University of Maine (Honey Bee Maintenance, Assistant Lab Instructor, and Forest Entomology), Hoffmann LaRoche in Nutley, NJ (Discovery Lab) where he contributed to several publications, Stauffer Chemical Company (research and development for crop herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, plus in home trials, in the Northeastern US and Canada), ACDS Research Co. (environmental studies, soil sampling and protection), Eastman Kodak, NY (agrichemical R&D), Cornell Biotech, NY, and Orkin Pest Control, Maine, before running his own business (H&G Pest Control) for 15 years, serving over 250 have successfully treated properties in Maine (camps, businesses, homes). John held professional memberships in the National Entomological Society, Weed Science Society of America, National Pest Management Association (NPMA), New England Pest Management Association, etc. He was also involved in the NEESA, NEWSSA, National ESA, National WSSA, READ monthly magazine, many agricultural meetings and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
In his younger years, John attended the Mt Carmel Congregational Church, was a Boy Scout and troop committee member, an avid golfer and a seed farmer. He enjoyed shooting rifles, playing pool, ice skating, fishing and playing in softball leagues. John and Shirley would can and freeze produce from their fruit trees, berry bushes and vegetable gardens, and enjoyed giving away. He also planted roses and other flowers. Pickling and sweet corn were two of John’s specialties. Fresh apple cider was always a treat (from his 110-tree apple orchard in Kirkville, NY). He cut his own wood for winter heat, and could be found feeding the wild songbirds and turkeys, and observing game. He was known for humanely trapping, removing and releasing varmints. John enjoyed traveling and valued spending time with family, friends and work colleagues. He could often be found laughing and sharing a good story from the older days.
John is survived by his daughter Lori (Ann Barnes) Grippo and her husband Carmine, son Steven John Barnes and his wife Diane (White), his granddaughters Courtney and Brittany Grippo, a brother-in-law George A. Clark Jr. , a cousin Kevin Clark, and close friends.
John is predeceased by his parents, wife and sister Nancy B. Clark.
A memorial service with military honors was held Sunday, September 4, at John’s home (40 Mountain View Dr., Otisfield, ME 04270).
Memorial donations may be made in John’s name to the American Heart Association and the Cornell Cooperative Extension (Crop Agriculture – Madison County or Onondaga County), NY
John’s family would like to thank family and friends for their support and prayers, and also Bridgton Hospital and Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris for their care and arrangements.