John (Jack) Rexford Barnes, 86, of Otisfield, passed away in Bridgton, on August 17, 2022, following cardiovascular disease complicated by a COVID-19 infection.

John was born November 19, 1935, in Hamden, New Haven, Conn., the son of Rexford Daniel and Dorothy E. (Quitek) Barnes. He married Shirley (Ellingwood) Barnes on March 25, 1961, in West Paris. He was a graduate of Hamden High School in Connecticut.
John is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1958, spending two winters in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1963. John received a B.S. degree from the University of Maine (Orono) in 1961 and a M.S. degree from Rutgers University in 1964, both in Entomology. Besides his home state, John lived in N.J., N.Y., and Maine.

John was employed at the Connecticut Research Farm’s Entomology Department, the University of Maine (Honey Bee Maintenance, Assistant Lab Instructor, and Forest Entomology), Hoffmann LaRoche in Nutley, N.J. (Discovery Lab) where he contributed several publications, Stauffer Chemical Company (research and development for crop herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, plus in house trials, in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada), A.C.D.S. Research Co. (environmental studies, soil sampling and protection), Eastman Kodak, N.Y. (R&D of agricultural chemicals), Cornell Biotech, N.Y., and Orkin Pest Control, Maine, before having his own business (H&G Pest Control) for 15 years, successfully treating over 250 properties in Maine (camps, businesses, homes). John held professional memberships in the National Entomological Society, Weed Science Society of America, National Pest Management Association (NPMA), New England Pest Management Association, etc. He was also involved with the NEESA, NEWSSA, National ESA, National WSSA, READ monthly magazine, many agricultural meetings, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

In his younger years, John attended the Mt. Carmel Congregational Church, was a Boy Scout and troop committee member, an avid golfer, and a crop farmer. He enjoyed target shooting with rifle clubs, playing pool, ice skating, fishing, and playing in softball leagues. John and Shirley would can and freeze produce from their fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetable gardens, and enjoyed giving some away. He also planted roses and other flowers. Pickle making and sweet corn were two of John’s specialties. Fresh apple cider was always a treat (from his 110-tree apple orchard in Kirkville, N.Y.). He cut his own wood for winter heat, and could be found feeding the wild songbirds and turkeys, and observing wildlife. He was known to humanely trap, remove, and release varmints. John enjoyed traveling, and appreciated time spent with family, friends and work associates. He could often be found laughing and sharing a good story from the older days.

John is survived by his daughter Lori (Ann Barnes) Grippo and her husband Carmine, son Steven John Barnes and his wife Diane (White), his granddaughters Courtney and Brittany Grip- po, a brother-in-law George A. Clark Jr., a nephew Kevin Clark, and good friends.

John is predeceased by his parents, wife, and sister Nancy B. Clark.

A memorial service with military honors was held Sunday, Sept. 4, at John’s home (40 Mountain View Dr., Otisfield, ME 04270).

Memorial donations can be made in John’s name to the American Heart Association and the Cornell Cooperative Extension (Crop Agriculture – Madison County or Onondaga County), N.Y.

John’s family would like to thank family and friends for their support and prayers, and also Bridgton Hospital and Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris for their care and arrangements.