Benjamin Barnes, 78, of East Stroudsburg, passed away Tuesday, September 10, in Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest.
He was the loving husband of Rosa (Guerrero) Barnes. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in January.
Born in Sanford, NC, he was the son of the late Harry Lee Barnes and the late Emma Jean (Smith) Barnes.
Benjamin graduated from W.B. Wicker High School in Sanford, NC in 1958. After graduating, he moved to New York and began working for the US Postal Service. Later, he went on to attain his license as an insurance advisor. He then went on to work for ATT&T and soon after, he started working for NY Telephone Co., which later turned into Verizon. He ended up working as a manager/engineer for Verizon for thirty five years. During this time, he went on to attain a B.S. in Engineering & Management from Empire State College in Albany, NY.
At the age of 13, he joined the Fair Promise AME Zion Church in Sanford, NC. He played baseball, football, and basketball in high school. For the football team, he played tight end and linebacker. He was an avid New York Knicks and New York Jets fan. He loved fishing, dancing, music, and traveling. He was also a member of the musical group, The Marlboro's. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Kendall and Terrance of NY, David of PA; three daughters, Jessica of NY, Tracey of GA, Alexandra of PA; five brothers, Harry Barnes Jr. and his wife Etta of Fayetteville, NC, Henaro Barnes and his wife Brenda of Sanford, NC, Andrea Barnes and his wife Pam of NY, Michael Barnes and his wife Mildred of NY, Anthony Barnes and his wife Ana of VA; four sisters, Jackie Summerfield of Island Park, NY, Barbara Jean McCormick of Spring Hill, FL, Lorna Barnes-Wilkins and her husband Bernard of Aberdeen, NC, Melody Barnes of FL; a grandson, Ajani Zion McGill, and several other grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jarvis, three brothers, Havril Lavard Barnes, Lloyd Gregory Barnes, Raymond Dexter Barnes, and a brother-in-law, James McCormick.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, September 21 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM from the Kresge Funeral Home, 1763 Route 209, Brodheadsville. Funeral services will be follow at 5:00 PM with Bishop Robert L. Williams Jr. from Salt of the Earth Ministries in Stroudsburg, who will be officiating.
Kresge Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
www.kresgefuneralhome.com