Alfonso Barnes

JOURNEY OF LIFEA Time to be BornOn December 27, 1930, God blessed the world with a servant known to us as Alfonso Barnes. Born at Mountainside Hospital in Glenridge, New Jersey, Alfonso was one of seven sons born to the late George and Nanie Barnes. A Time to GrowA close knit family of boys, Alfonso’s parents instilled a sense of pride, hard work and looking out for each other. These lessons remained his value system throughout his life. Baptized at an early age at the St. Paul Baptist Church, Alfonso loved the Lord and demonstrated love through his compassion and generosity. An adventurous young man, Alfonso “fudged” his age to join the Army during World War II. At fifteen he stood 5’9” and 145 pounds --his physique fooled the recruiters. In spite of his underage ploy, he received an honorable discharged in February, 1947. He returned to New Jersey after the war and began a life of working hard. Known for his strength, he was given the nickname “The Horse” by his co-workers. During his twenty-five years with the township’s Parks Department, he excelled at driving heavy equipment. Alfonso remained close to his brothers and five of them preceded him in death. His bond with his brother “Joe” was a significant part of his life. A Time to LoveOn June 1, 1960 Alfonso married her beloved Emma. She was the pillar of his strength. They were an inseparable couple until her death in 2002. During their forty-two year marriage they enhanced their love through their sons Reginald, Melvin and Timothy.During the mid-1970s, Alfonso moved to his family to Baltimore. During the next three decades, they made a life on Brompton Road. Their beautiful home represented a tremendous sense of pride and many years of hard work. Emma and Alfonso loved to go out to eat and became the family’s official restaurant critics. During his time in Baltimore, Alfonso began another career with the Baltimore County Public School System. He retired from the Baltimore County Public School System to begin his life of leisure. Affectionately known as “Pop” or “Fonzie”, he was a man of few words and a man of simple pleasures. He loved his family, marveled at a good meal and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. A Time to MournHe leaves to cherish his memory, continue his legacy and rejoice at his triumphant entry into an eternal life of peace; his devoted son Reginald A. Pinder, faithful daughter-in-law Sharon R. Pinder, (sons Melvin and Timothy preceded him in death); brother Joseph Barnes; brother-in-law Thomas Pinder; sisters-in-law Nannie Pinder and Ruth Barnes; granddaughters Shantelle Conway Perry and Biah Kun, (grandsons Reginald Jr. and Melvin Jr. preceded him in death); grandson-in-law Gregory Perry; great-grandchild Traveze; aunts Alice Gardner and Ruth Payne; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Alfonso Barnes

December 27, 1930 - August 19, 2008