Steven J. Barnes, age 54, of 6 Willow Drive, Freeville, NY passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at University Hospital after suffering a stroke on March 1st. Steven was born April 11, 1955 in Binghamton the son of Ronald F. Barnes of Vestal and the late Marguerite Louise Barton Barnes. Steve was a graduate of Vestal High School and attended Ithaca College. Steve owned Finger Lakes Music in Ithaca and was employed as the manager of McNeil Music prior to opening Ultimate Music with his partner, Lonnie Park, in 1992. As partners they also opened and ran an Ultimate Music store in Horseheads for a period of time. Steve was also employed as an instructor of the Rock & Blues Ensemble at SUNY Cortland. Steve also played keyboard in the Tribal Revival Band. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed boating, fishing, camping and reading. He was an outstanding person who made time to be with his wife, family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine Northway Barnes of Freeville, his son, Matthew R. Barnes of Cortland; his father, Ronald F. Barnes of Vestal; his sister, Darla (Robert) Krome of Johnson City, NY; nieces and nephews including Christine (Nick) Andretta, Rebecca (Joel) Parsons, Stephen, Nathan and Bethany Krome. He was predeceased by his mother, Marguerite Barton Barnes.
Memorial Information:
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. Dale Austin officiating. Burial will be in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Friends are invited to call from 4 to 7 PM Monday, at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. Memorials are directed to the Freeville Fire Dept. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 129, Freeville, NY 13068-0129 .
Steve Barnes was a very special person. He was one of the nicest people I knew, and always had nice things to say about everyone. He was a very talented musician, a popular local businessman, and a good friend and band-mate. I will never forget him. My condolences to his family.
Rest in peace, Steve – I hope you are up there jamming with the best of the best – get the instruments warmed up for the rest of us, as someday we might just be asking to join your new group. (YARRRGH!) Much love…..
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Our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Steve. God’s love to you all.
Steve and I went to high school together in Vestal, NY. We met when we were about 13-14 years old at a party at a friends house in Vestal. I always remember Steve playing in our high school band and being in some of my classes. He was such a nice, nice guy – liked by many other students … and so muscially talented! He will definitely be missed by so many of us.
Steve is one the nicest, fairest, and funniest cats I’ve ever had the honor to call a close friend, and share many a stage with for more than 15 years…His hilarious dry wit cannot be compared…
A Truly..Gracious man, Musician, Father, and Friend….You are forever with me Mr.Steve.
My condolences to all who were close to Steve. I only met him a few times but when I did it was obvious that what I had heard about him was true- a giving and selfless supporter of music who just seemed like a great guy. RIP
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a great guy. He will be missed by all.
I am so sorry about the loss of a music icon in our area.Steve will be missed by all of us musicians ,and by all of his many friends,and family
My condolences go out to Steves family,and remember the happy place he is now at ,is where we all hope to be so we can play music together again.
I’d known Steve for about 8 years, he was always very friendly and helpful, both in the store and on gigs. My sympathies go out to his family and I’m sure he’s rockin’ with some very impressive musicians now, no more pain and living it up in paradise!
Mr. Steve will always be my friend and bandmate. Sharing the stage with him was always inspiring. I’ll miss him everyday.
our sympathies to Steve’s family and freinds
A great friend and player…..always looked forward to seeing Steve and sharing some laughs at the store or at a gig….There’s not a nicer guy in the business……I will miss you my friend.
Goodbye for now Steve , I’ll see you on the the other side , where the Jammin’ never ends.
Dobby
Steve Barnes was a gentle, caring man with a passion for music and for helping others appreciate music. It was obvious how much he loved performing with his friends in the “Tribal Revival” and how much he loved working with the students in the Rock and Blues Ensemble — and how much they loved and respected him. Steve will be greatly missed on the SUNY Cortland campus.
Sold me my first guitar and a few there after. Huge impact on music in such a small town. Thank you Steve for always being gracious and always running your business like a man that cared about every musician in his town. You will be remembered man.
Mr Steve was a great musician and a great friend I will think everyday and evertime I play music. He will be sadly missed RIPm my brother
Steve was one of the nicest and most enjoyable people to be around I’ve ever met. When my son caught the “fishing bug” a few years ago most of our fishing trips came up empty until Steve took us under his wing. Now we have great memories of fishing with him on Cayuga Lake and Bowman Lake State Park. Steve’s students in the SUNY Cortland Rock and Blues Ensemble looked up to him as a musician and a friend, and he helped raise thousands of dollars for the Belize Zoo through benefit concerts and sales of the “Belize Zoo Project” CD. Steve, next time I’m on Cape Cod I’m going to have a bowl of fish stew and a beer in your memory at that restaurant we never got back to.
Steve proved to be a popular teacher and valuable instructor to our Africana Studies Program. His classes filled and he generously offered his services to the college and the community by performing at a variety of events and that entertained and educated. We miss him dearly.
Sam Kelley
One of my definitions of “joy” is the look on Steve’s face when the Rock & Blues Ensemble was playing. He had an amazing impact on the lives of many — particularly our students at SUNY Cortland. He is a gracious man, gone far too soon. He will live in our music and his life will be reflected as we share his style of kindness with everyone we meet.
Steve was so kind, generous, giving, and caring. I loved watching him play too- to see the joy on his face that music brought- it was matched by the look on his face when he directed the students of the Rock and Blues Ensemble. how much he loved music and how he shared that passion! He defined the word community! I feel honored to have played with him and to have gotten to know him especially during that getaway long weekend on the Cape. I will miss him very much. We have to convert our sadness and loss into the beautiful music Steve would love to hear and make. Steve Barnes, Presente!!
Steve Barnes was a warm, caring, and fun guy. He directed the Rock & Blues Ensemble with so much enthusiasm. He loved everyone in each band and anyone that came by to try their hand at the music.
Steve taught me so much: the value of playing music with other people, things about recording and playing live, and how to enjoy playing music. He taught everyone so much; and he learned so much from his students as well.
Steve will be sorely missed by everyone in the Rock & Blues Ensemble. But his teaching and leadership have molded all of us to carry on through this difficult time.
This one is for Steve.
Steve was one of the most influential teachers I have had in my entire academic career. Not only was he kind and welcoming to any student that walked through his door, he was generous and loved every single person who crossed his path.
Steve taught me more about myself and my abilities than I ever dreamed I could. He taught me the value of music and how I can channel my emotions through music. Not only did he guide me to become a better vocalist, but he supported me in learning how to play guitar. It is because of him that I now have that outlet. His teaching style was unlike any teacher I have ever encountered, which is what made him so special to all of his students.
Steve has touched the lives of so many people and he will be missed by all. His ability to reach out to people will be remembered by everyone. I am proud to say that I studied under the instruction of Steve.
We love you so much, Steve.
Thank you for everything.
Steve was a valuable member of the Africana Studies Department at SUNY Cortland. He was friendly and was always willing to go beyond the call of duty for our students in the Rock & Blues Ensemble. We can never replace Steve and he will remain in our memories forever.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for all you did for the Africana Studies Department and SUNY Cortland.
Remain blessed and rest in peace.
I knew Steve as a man of great patience and humor. I will miss hearing his distinctive voice, and my heart goes out to his family and his many friends.
Rock On, Steve.