Russell C. Barnes
...owned R&R Automotive and Rusty's Skate Shop; active athlete; 70
TEWKSBURY - Russell C. "Russ" Barnes, age 70, an well known, active and beloved member of the Tewksbury community, died unexpectedly Friday afternoon, May 20, surrounded by his loving family, at Mass General Hospital in Boston, from complications of surgery. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Skoda) Barnes, with whom he had celebrated a 53nd wedding anniversary this past February 15th.
He was born in Mayfield, NY, on November 17, 1940, the son of the late Frank and Lillian (Montanye) Barnes. He was raised in upstate NY, and graduated from Johnstown High School. He had resided in Tewksbury for the past 45 years.
"Russ" was an automobile mechanic by trade, and worked at John Cefalo's Texaco and Carl Sitler's Auto Repair at their shops in Tewksbury. He founded Rusty's Skate Shop in Tewksbury which he ran from 1976 until 1987. He closed the skate shop and founded his own auto repair shop, R & R Automotive, at the Railroad Crossing complex off Livingston Street in Tewksbury. He retired from the business in 2005, and landed his dream job, as part of the "grounds crew" at Campbells Scottish Highlands Golf Course in Salem, NH.
As an athlete, Russ was an outstanding bowler, and his name is listed in the U.S. Bowling Hall of Fame for his perfect score of "300." He was an avid golfer, and had been a member of several leagues in area. In his youth and into adulthood, he played baseball and basketball. He loved NASCAR, and recently visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. He was a fan of the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics, but held a special place in his heart for the Cleveland Browns football team, and the old Brooklyn Dodgers. He especially enjoyed watching his grandson play baseball in the Dunstable Youth Baseball League, and granddaughter at her dance recitals.
Russ was the proud owner of a 1995 "red on red"Corvette, which he cherished, pampered and treated like a baby.
He was a devoted family man and loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew him and especially those who loved him.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie Gemma and her husband Jim of Rochdale, MA; a son and daughter-in-law, Russell F. Barnes and his wife Lisa (Richard) of Dunstable; five grandchildren, Jacob and Hannah Barnes, Amanda Hobby, Jamie Bullock, and Jeff Gemma; three great grandchildren, Avery, Jack and Marissa; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Brenda Hepfer and her husband Fred of Castleton, NY, Dawn Barnes of Johnstown, NY; and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, May 24, in the Funeral Home, followed by burial in Lowell Cemetery. Memorials to the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, 2335 Main St., Tewksbury, MA 01876, or Hadwen Park Congregational Church, 6 Clover St., Worcester, MA 01603-1929 or Dunstable Youth Baseball, c/o David Ierardi, 39 Sky Top Ln., Dunstable, MA 01827-1123 will be appreciated.