Peter Barnard

1/16/1961 – 3/30/2010
Birthplace: Stevens Point, WA
Last Resided in: Bellingham, WA
Service: Mass of Christian Burial
Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Date: Fri. April 9, 2010
Time:1 pm
Obituary
Peter E. Barnard, age 49, passed away Tues. March 30th, 2010 in Bellingham. He was born January 16, 1961 in Stevens Point, WI to Peter and Constance (Okray) Barnard. Peter enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with his dogs.
He was preceded in death by his father Peter A. Barnard. He is survived by his daughter Melissa, mother Connie Barnard, sister Peggi (husband David) Trimble and their children Maggi and Peter, sister Clair (husband Eric) Stephenson and their children Riley and Quinn, sister Annye Barnard-Banford (husband Scott) and their children
Geoffrey and Emily, brother Paul (wife Kristina) Barnard and their daughter Sofie.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, on Friday, April 9th at 1 PM followed by a reception.
Guestbook
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Mary Firkus
City/State: Denver, CO
Dear Barnard Family Every morning I go online to check the Point paper and look at the obituaries. I was shocked to see Peter’s name. Peter and I went to Pacelli together and always got along great. I remember when he lived here in Denver for a bit and was a cook at a restaurant and I popped in to see him. Always greeted me with a friendly hello and smile. Although I haven’t seen Peter in years, we never forget the ones that we grew up with. My deepest sympathies to all the family. Mary Firkus
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Judy Hartman Fay
City/State: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
What a shock it was to open the paper and see Peter’s name. We dated a looooong tim ago and moved to Colorado together. My cousin Brett had gone to Bellingham to visit him at his restaurant. I viewed his picture and that must be his daughter, Melissa….what a beautiful girl. My husband (who also knew Peter) and I are deeply sorry and hope that the Lord will wrap you ALL in His arms at this time. Judy Hartman Fay
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Jessica Muenter
City/State: Bonney Lake, WA
I am very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Karen Wilkinson
City/State: Puyallup, Washington
Dear Paul, Kristina, Sofie & family, We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Alice (Pratt) Stoffel
City/State: Madison, WI
I too went to Pacelli with Peter. I am sorry for your loss, my sympathy to family and friends.
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Brett Ecker
City/State: Chicago, IL
Peter and I were good friends in Stevens Point. I am very sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with Peter’s entire family. God Bless you all.
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Diane
City/State: Bellingham, WA
I worked with Peter at Highgate he worked in the Kitchen there he was the best cook that they had there, and he was fun to work with, we all at Highgate was shocked to learn about his death, he talked about Melissa and he truly loved her ! A big hug to her and may God Bless her as she goes throw this, I know she will not be alone she has family to help her out. May God arm hug you all and gide you throw this sad time. A true Cook will be miss by all. R.I.P Peter
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Nancy Wilson-Sefrit
City/State: Bellingham, Wa
To The Barnard Family, Deepest Sympathy and prayers to you all. What a shock to see Peters name in todays paper. Please let me know if I can help in anyway. I haven’t seen Peter in 16 years however I have lots of fun memories from Sudden Valley and the Fairhaven home. Connie and Paul you always remained dear to my heart. Big hugs going to you. Love Nancy 360-647-1526
Date: 4/2/2010
From: Elaine (Nix) Nelson
City/State: Henderson, Nevada
My deepest sympathies to Peter’s family. My friendship with Peter started in grade school when the Barnard family lived on Clark Street, then continued at Pacelli High School. I lost touch with Peter after he moved to Washington, however, I continued to consider him a wonderful friend. I am so thankful Peter was part of my life and I will cherish the memories of the times we spent together. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Date: 4/3/2010
From: Jack Day
City/State: Bellingham, WA
Dear Connie, Notice of Perter’s death in the Herald was a shock. I feel sorrow and offer sympathy for you and your family.
Date: 4/3/2010
From: Evelyn Rineahart
City/State: Goleta, CA
Dear Connie and family–I am so sorry to hear of the death of Peter. Berny and I really enjoyed him when we were in Billingham. I will always remember Peter playing Bunco with us and putting up with us. My love and prayer go out to you and your family.
Date: 4/4/2010
From: Marilyn Kapter
City/State: Stevens Point, WI
I was saddened to read of Peter’s passing so young. I remember him so well as a cheerful third grader in my class at Washington school. Peter and his buddy, Andy, brought sunshine into our class with their sense of humor and antics. I enjoyed him very much. I hope his family can treasure many happy memories of him and I will continue to see him as a happy cheerful third grader.
Date: 4/4/2010
From: Jo Ashby
City/State: LONGMONT, colorado
Connie and all of Peter’s relatives and friends, I pray that together in your grief, each will gain faith of his accent to heaven. God bless, Jo
Date: 4/5/2010
From: bob shannon
City/State: stevens point, wisconsin
dear barnard family, when i saw pete’s recent obituary i was deeply saddened as i am sure everyone who knew him was when learning of his death. the sadness was replaced however by all the great memories of pete which still remain vivid 30 years later. i lost touch with pete after he left stevens point. i returned home to practice law 20 years ago and pass over the plover river every day. i have thought of pete many times over the years when looking at that little sandy river- remembering all the happy times we spent hunting and fishing along it. he was an excellent companion and friend. he was a kind and trusting spirit and i have missed him keenly many times over the years. my most sincere sympathy to the family.
Date: 4/5/2010
From: Gary Jurgella
City/State: Mosinee, Wisconsin
Dear Aunt Connie and cousins, I was very surprised to hear about Peter last week. Even though it has been several years since seeing Peter I will always remember the good times we had at family gatherings at your home. My prayers go out to all of you and Melissa during this difficult time. I’m sure Peter will be greatly missed. Love Gary
Date: 4/5/2010
From: Mary Beth Conrad
City/State: Westminster, CO
Dear Aunt Connie and all, Words cannot even begin to express the deep sympathy I feel for all of you. Losing a son, brother and father is an impossible thought. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Love and God go with you Mary Beth
Date: 4/5/2010
From: Barbara (Jurgella) Werth
City/State: Sun Prairie, Wi
Dear Aunt Connie, Peggy, Claire, Annymary, Paul…words alone can’t express the deep sorrow I share with you after hearing about Peter’s passing. Though I had not seen or talked to him in years, his passing was a shock. I knew Peter to be a beautiful person. He will live on through his beautiful daughter Melissa. Please know that I am thinking of all of you as you share your remembrances of Peter as a father, son, brother, sister and uncle. Those memories will bind you closer. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you all. Barbara
Date: 4/6/2010
From: Carla (Stoltz) Alm
City/State: Plover, Wisconsin
Dear Barnard family, I am so sorry about your loss. Peter was a wonderful friend in High School-as well as Clair and Annie!! Please say hello to all for me. I wish I could be there to hug all of you. Please keep in touch. It certainly would have been nice if we could have kept up-to-date under better circumstances. Love, Carla
Date: 4/7/2010
From: Vicki (Okray) Peskie
City/State: Junction City, Wisconsin
Dear Aunt Connie, Peggy, Clair, Anne and Paul- I have been thinking alot about all of you at this time. Please know that my prayers are with you. The memories I have of Peter are from our childhood and all the fun we had at the Cousin’s Parties. Give my love to his beautiful daughter and hugs to all of you. Miss you all very much- Vicki
Date: 4/8/2010
From: Claire Ann Matthews Winker
City/State: Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Connie, I’m Berny’s younger sister, both daughters of your Aunt Josephine. Your mother was my Godmother. (I was born on the 16th of January also…but in 1944.) I am so sorry for you, Melissa, and Peter’s brothers and sisters. I trust that the family that you and Peter, Sr. created will now be a source of comfort and support in this time of suffering. Your family is in our prayers. In love, Claire Ann
Date: 4/16/2010
From: Teresa D. Pfister (McCown)
City/State: Everson, WA.
I have known Peter for over 20yrs. And am PROUD to say that him and I have a beautiful,smart 18yr. old daughter. Melyssa. Yes, spelled with a Y. We call her Mely. Peter and I have certainly had our share of moments, raising a child and then a teenager together. But I can say with clear conscience that he did the best that he was capable of. When Melyssa was born on January 24th,1992 Peter was most concerned that she have “Fly Fishing” hands.He was over the moon when he saw that she did! When she was young, he was very, very involved in her life. Teaching her how to cook, bake, and of course, a passion for the outdoors. Peter signed her up for “Gun Safety” classes before she was a teenager. They were out on “The Marsh” as often as he could.Tromping in “Gators” through the MUCK with one of his beloved dogs. (Zeak or Tap) Our daughter was clearly blessed with Peter’s piercing green eyes…shaped like almonds. And yes, his brains. Melyssa like most teenagers struggled with both Mom & Dad at times…BUT she loved her Dad. And he clearly loved her. The saddest of all of this is that he will never get to see her become the fabulous person that she is becoming. When she graduates from Med School, Marriage (WAY DOWN THE ROAD!) Children etc. I so hope that his family will find it in their hearts to allow her a few special things of his that meant a lot to her. They may not have had a perfect relationship, but Melyssa really loved her Father, and He loved her as well. The service was very beautiful last Fri. Mely and I got the chance to meet one of Peter’s friends from his Twenties. (Brett) and we all shared some great memories. I still feel Peter’s presence. I have even found myself talking to him. Melyssa and my youngest daughter Kennedy watched videos the other day of Peter. It was very surreal. I’m glad I’ve always been a camera nut. Peter bought me our first video camera a few months before Melyssa was born. I got a lot of use out of it!I also wanted to add a few things that were left out of the obituary. I met Peter way back when he had the FABULOUS Restaurant “Longfellow Cafe”. It was THE BEST Restaurant in all of Skagit Valley. He was the best chef I had ever had the pleasure to fall in love with. He was SOOOO good to my 4 yr. old. son Zachary. Taking him fishing and of course, shooting clay pigeons. Peter was a complicated man. Private, yet full of spunk. He was SOOOO fun. We skied up @ Stevens Pass often, and he could always make me laugh. Peter was a good man. He carried his cross on his back and at times it would simply “fall off”. We all have our “STUFF” but deep inside, I believe that he wanted to be a good man, father, son, brother, uncle, & friend. His inner battles often made that difficult. His passing will scar my daughter’s heart forever. And yes, Connie… I will ALWAYS care for your son, and have ALWAYS wanted the best for him. Sincerely, Teresa
Date: 4/24/2010
From: Mary Kirsch Sutter
City/State: St Louis, Missouri
Dear Barnard Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I went to St Stephen’s with Clair and remember being at your home on Clark Street. My thoughts & prayers are with you all, Mary