HUDSON FALLS – George R. Barnes, 82, of Dean Road, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on October 10, 1933 in Hensonville, NY, he was the son of the late Lambert and Extelsia (Haskell) Barnes.
George was a 1952 graduate of Granville High School. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and served during the Korean War as a Radio Mechanic.
On April 6, 1958, he married Nancy LaPan at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson Falls.
First out of the Navy, he took over his brother in law’s dairy farm in Hebron. After selling the farm, he began a long career at General Electric, retiring after 30 years.
George loved keeping his hand in farming and along with his wife, moved to the LaPan family farm. He enjoyed being outside, which included hunting in the Catskills and fishing in the Adirondacks, walking in the woods and cutting firewood. George also enjoyed traveling in his RV, vacationing to the ocean and throughout the country, including Alaska and Hawaii. He also was an avid NASCAR follower.
George was known for wheeling and dealing. He would buy and sell anything with a motor including cars and boats. He also loved to help his children work on their homes. His kids called him MacGyver, because he could fix anything with anything. George was an excellent carpenter, creating beautiful furniture from the wood he cut in his wood lot. He also enjoyed playing cards, including pinochle, cribbage and pitch. He was very social. Most of all, he loved doing activities with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his three sisters, Barbara Marchaland, Maie Juckett and Catherine Goodspeed, an infant brother and a grandson, Nigel Hodkinson.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy Barnes of Hudson Falls; his six children, Kathleen Moench and her husband, Douglas of Latham, Karen Rose and her husband, Gordon of Fort Washington, PA, Ann Hodkinson and her husband, Albert of Fort Washington, PA, Mary Heydrick and her husband, John of Hudson Falls, Robert Barnes and his wife, Donna of MA and Timothy Barnes and his companion, Barbara of Hudson Falls; his eight grandchildren, Samantha Moench, Alexander and Nathaniel Rose, Trevor Hodkinson, Robert and Ryan Barnes, Elizabeth Natale and Katelyn Barnes; his four great grandchildren, Sean, Hailey, Connor and Landon Barnes; two brothers, Edgar Barnes and his wife, Marion of Granville and Ronald Barnes and his wife, Barbara of Marathon, NY; his sister, Elaine Menapace and her husband, Richard of Cortland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Funeral services will follow the calling hours at 7 p.m. on Thursday, at the funeral home, with the Reverend Thomas Babiuch, officiating.
The Rite of Committal with full military honors will be conducted at 12 noon on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in the town of Stillwater.
Following the graveside service, everyone is welcome to the family home at 189 Dean Road in Hudson Falls.
Memorial donations may be sent to High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care, 79 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804