Joseph R. Barnes

Joseph Raymond Barnes, 84, of Ramsey, formerly of Kearny, on February 4, 2026. Loving father of Michael (Alyssa Lord) and their children Olivia and Lilah; Michelle, and Stephen (Walker) and his children Madison and Hayley. Survived by former wife Carmen Sterling Barnes. Dear brother of Catherine, Maude Elizabeth, Helen P. and the late William A., Dolores, and Virginia. Loving son of the late William J. and Helen E. Barnes. Proud uncle of Jordan Sampietro (Megan) and Christopher David Vardijan. Adored great-uncle of Devon and Ava.

Born the fourth of seven children in Jersey City and raised in Kearny and Ramsey, NJ.  After graduating in 1959 from Ramsey High School, where he was a member of the football team, Joe was a contractor for the Project Mercury Space Station, gaining Secret Clearance with the Division of General Dynamics. It was this designation that led to Joe receiving Top Secret Security Clearance in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence Branch. He was deployed to Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and Germany from 1963 - 1968.

Upon returning to New Jersey, Joe worked as a Corporate Officer at Bankers Trust Co. on Wall Street. He was a two-term president of the company’s Bankers Club in N.Y., and retired after 28 years.

Joe earned his BBS and Masters Degrees from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., becoming certified to teach in New Jersey and New York.

His social calendar was always full of events with Ramsey VFW Post 12148, Waldwick American Legion Post 57, Ramsey Knights of Columbus, and Greater Ramsey UNICO, where he was an Executive Board Member. He was also Post Adjutant for Ramsey Veterans of Foreign Wars, and point person for the Veterans Advisory Council of Bergen County. Joe could also be found at his weekly book club meetings at Barnes & Noble.

Always giving back to his beloved Ramsey, he was named Volunteer of the Year and was Treasurer of the Ramsey Civic Association. He was point person for “Toys for Tots,” a member of the town’s Senior Transportation, Centennial, and “Stigma Free” Committees, as well as the Greater Bergen County Chamber of Commerce and Bergen County Police Chiefs Association of New Jersey. He could also be seen helping at town events, and made a steady appearance in Memorial Day and other parades in town.

Joe’s biggest passion – cars – began as a teenager. He was the proud owner of a 1933 Packard Super 8 and was deeply involved with the Antique Automobile Club of America, Classic Car Club of America, Packard Club, and Restored Rusty Relics organizations.

Joe officially retired in June of 2025, after working for the Borough of Park Ridge for 27 years. Unfortunately, a cancer diagnosis and condominium fire derailed plans soon after. In his retirement, he hoped to decorate his newly renovated condo, travel, and spoil his granddaughters.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 pm - 5 pm, with a service conducted at 3 pm, at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Avenue, Ramsey, NJ. Burial will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 11:15 at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the VFW in memory of Joseph, https://www.vfw.org/donate/give-now.