Stanley George "Mike" Barnard, Sr.

Stanley G. "Mike" Barnard, Sr. 1923-2017 Stanley George "Mike" Barnard, Sr., 93, of Pensacola, FL passed away March 14, 2017. He was nicknamed “Mike" at a young age by his beloved aunt and it stuck, many never knew his given name. Mike was born October 28, 1923 in Byron, New York, the son of George Herbert and Elsie (Airth) Barnard. During World War II he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and landed at Omaha beach during the Normandy invasion. He served with "Mogin's Maulers" of the 379th Fighter Squadron helping build the first air support landing strips and continued with the fight across France, Belgium and into Germany until the end of the war. Following the War, on a trip through Pensacola, he met and married Edna E. Bishop, October 19, 1946. Edna was the love of his life and best friend during their 68 years of marriage. Edna's passing in 2015 was hard on him but he carried on as they had together never missing a chance to be with family. Mike was a career Fire Fighter, rising to Captain while serving as a Civil Service Fireman at NAS Pensacola until his retirement. He enjoyed going back to the station at NAS to celebrate his 90th birthday with those who followed in his career, along with family and friends. Mike was a long-time member of the Brentwood Volunteer Fire Department and many times kept the fire engines running with his mechanic skills in the early years. For all of his many years, automobiles had been his passion and if he was not at work you would find him at "Mike's Garage" in his backyard shop. Whether you brought him a truck or car, bus or dump truck or maybe just a bicycle it got repaired, many times whether you could pay or not. Much of Mike's later years were spent traveling with his wife in their motor home, seeing America and visiting family or spending summers at their place on "Tuckasegee River" in Bryson City, North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains was his favorite place to be and to share with family and friends. While service to his country and community made up so much of his early years, he was always an example of his Christian faith. He was an active member of Brentwood United Methodist Church and later St. Andrew United Methodist Church. But more important, he lived his Christian faith daily. Mike and Edna came from large families, his from New York and hers from Northwest Florida so they have many who have loved them and received their love over the years. Mike is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Edna; his son, Donald H. Barnard and five of his siblings. He is survived by his four children, Linda (Charles) Flannigan, Susan (Larry) Hannah, Stanley G. "Stan" (Debbie) Barnard, Jr., Kathy Holmes; six grandchildren, Barry (Evelyn) Flannigan, Melissa Bass (Don) Wilson, Kimberly Morgan (Ray) Jablonka, Lori Wilson (Tommy) Goodale, Jeremy (Kristin) Wilson and Brian (Dawn) Hannah; fourteen great grandchildren; brother, Richard "Dick" Barnard and sister, Arlene Boldt both of New York and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mike's family extends their sincere appreciation to: Dr Sunil Gupta (who Mike credited with saving his vision); Homestead Village, especially the staff of Building B & E; the physicians and staff of Sacred Heart Hospital and Covenant Hospice Care at West Florida Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. The family will receive friends at 12:00 noon prior to services. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery, Pensacola, FL. In lieu of flowers the family request the memorial be made to the Covenant Care, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL. 32504 or the charity of your choice.

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Stanley George "Mike" Barnard, Sr.

October 28, 1923 - March 14, 2017