Frederick James Barnes departed this earthly life on December 13, 2024, in Middlebury, Vermont, at the age of 86. With him he brings the magnificence of his musical spirit and gifts to his departed family and friends who await his arrival to sing and rejoice again at the sound of the melodies and tones he could raise from a piano, as if sent to him on a ray of light from heaven.

Fred was born the son of Warren Whitfield Barnes and Anna Elizabeth Barnes (nee Daw) on June 10, 1938, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Fred is predeceased by his brothers, Warren and Richard, sister, Doris, and sons Randolph (“Randy”) and Brian. Fred was the proud father of five sons, Frederick Conger, Randolph Warren, Brian Robert, with his first wife, Eleanor Conger, and Bryce Frederick (Jessica) and Evan Fraser (Brigid), with his second wife, Maureen Fraser. He also leaves behind his seven grandchildren, Coleman Vossbrink, Emerson Sachi, Maya Nicolette, Colin Fraser, Liam Carroll, Clare Cornelia, and Andrew Fraser.

Fred was a Renaissance person at heart. He was filled to the brim with knowledge gained through his varied life experiences, interests, and work as a musician, singer, songwriter, bricklayer, craftsman, health kinesiologist, and avid reader. He could fix or build nearly anything.

As a child of the 1940s and 1950s, he joyfully spent his days outdoors with great ingenuity, building everything from a dam to form an ice-skating pond from a creek, an underground fort (to hide from parents and the “authorities”), a giant sling shot anchored into the ground (to send objects into low orbit), and a cannon made from pipe (only tested on a golf course). He frequently enjoyed the end of the Christmas season by collecting discarded Christmas trees with friends in Hackensack for a spectacular holiday celebration that illuminated the winter evening sky, even drawing the audience and admiration of the local fire department.

Fred was strong-willed at times, but he was friendly with a quick sense of humor and a wellspring of entertaining stories. Fred also possessed enormous compassion for the suffering and dispossessed of the world. After serving his country in the National Guard for six years, he fought injustice throughout his life and was a steady advocate for peace, nuclear disarmament, safe working conditions in the construction industry, and environmental protection.

Fred’s true passion in life was his music. As a child, he was inspired by the legendary jazz pianist, Art Tatum, with his rendition of Cole Porter’s Begin the Beguine, and in his adult years, by Bill Evans’ Waltz for Debby. Fred spent years as a pianist and vocalist on the Cunard Line cruise ships Queen Elizabeth 2 and Countess and followed this experience with several years as the house pianist for the Sheraton Russell Hotel, on Park Avenue in New York. During this time, he studied with jazz pianist, Jack Reilly, in Brooklyn, New York, and enjoyed mentoring from jazz great and friend, Dick Hyman. Throughout his retirement, living in Middlebury, Vermont, Fred remained active on the music scene as an accompanist, soloist, and instructor of students of all ages in jazz piano. Through his music, he made countless friends in the Middlebury community.

Fred possessed the duality of a rose, paradoxical in its splendor and fragrance, with a sharpness that can sometimes inflict pain. Fred suffered the loss of his sons Randy and Brian and battled with memories and experiences from his childhood that never seemed to cease their pursuit of him. At times, he struggled with close family and personal relationships, unable to fully comprehend how much he was loved, nor how much joy or pain he brought to others.

But it is love that ultimately prevails and lives in the hearts of those who knew Fred. And with his transition, Fred’s family is eternally grateful to the countless friends, neighbors, and professionals from the Middlebury community who supported and cared for him, including his guardian angels at Age Well Vermont, Congregational Church of Middlebury, Middlebury Food Co-Op, and Porter Hospital, along with the friends and staff at Two Brothers Tavern who kept him company, even sometimes before their doors opened for the public.

Fred will be missed by many. While he now walks on the path of the infinite, those he leaves behind will always hear the beautiful sound of his music that remains in their hearts. It is with sorrow and joy we say, goodbye for now.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Middlebury Congregational Church.  

Donations in Fred's memory are welcome at Age Well Vermont, 875 Roosevelt Hwy, suite 210, Colchester, VT 05446.