It is with great sadness that the Three Village Historical Society announces the loss of a member and a friend of the Three Village Community. Harold “Hap” Barnes passed away on July 8th, of complications from COPD. Hap was 84 years young.
When the society acquired its history center, the Bayles-Sweezy House, Hap took on the responsibility of building and grounds. We could always rely on him whether it was a large or small project or repair. He always made sure that the electric candles were placed in all the windows of the society’s history center and that a lit tree graced the field for the holidays.
Hap was a member of the team of society volunteers who built a full-size replica of William Sidney Mount’s portable studio for “William Sidney Mount Day” in 1999. He could be seen at numerous society events helping with traffic and other tasks. Hap and his vintage cars could be seen leading the society at community parades or on display at various society events. Hap was a member of the society’s local history committee for many years where he shared his stories and memories of the area with others. In the year 2000 Hap was the recipient of the society’s Gayle Becher Memorial Award. An award that honors volunteers whose work consists of loyal support repeated on a regular basis. Hap could have won that award year after year.
A memorial service for Hap will be held early in September at the Frank Melville Memorial Park.
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