Stanley W. Barney

Stanley Barney of Lunenburg Massachusetts died of pancreatic cancer July 12, 2023 at Leominster Hospital Palliative Care Unit with family and friends by his side. Stan was  born to the late Wilbur Walker Barney and Therese Annette (LaChance) Barney on August 14, 1950.

Stan is survived by his loving wife Suzanne (Anderson) Barney, daughter Stephanie Barney and her partner Alyssa Sharpe, sister Marie Barney, brother Michael G. Barney and wife Janice, nephew Michael R. Barney and his fiancée Jillian Doucette, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. A son, Patrick M. Barney, predeceased him in 2019.

Stan was blessed with a circle of lifelong friends, many of whom were at his side at the time of his passing.

In his lifetime, Stan was involved in a wide range of activities: working at the family business (Barney’s Restaurant and Dairy Bar), caring for animals, gardening, woodworking, and serving as captain of the Blue Knights Football Team (#61!). He was an avid Boston sports fan, and was a Celtics season ticket holder for many years. An avid gardener, Stan maintained beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. He gave away most of the produce and flowers he grew, including pumpkins, jars of pickles he made with his mother and sister, and fresh cut flowers. He loved the outdoors and even built his own lumber mill at his residence. Stan loved fishing and snowmobiling with his friends. Stan was a life member of the Eastwood Club.

 A 1968 graduate of Lunenburg High School, Stan attended Merrimack College and graduated from Fitchburg State University. He married the former Suzanne Anderson of Great Barrington Massachusetts on October 6, 1973. Devoted to the Town of Lunenburg, Stan served for 38 years on the Lunenburg Police Department, moving through the ranks to Sargent in 2000 and finally Lieutenant in 2013. He cherished serving the community as a police officer along with his son. Stan was also a lifetime member of the Lunenburg Police Relief Association, serving as its President in 1984. He also served several terms as a Cemetery Commissioner for the Town of Lunenburg, overseeing the maintenance and care of town cemetery grounds. 

Stan was also employed by the law enforcement division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals from 1986 to 1991, serving throughout 40 cities and towns. Devoted to animal rescue, Stan built a barn/stable at his Lunenburg residence and provided a safe residence for rescued horses, including draught horses and clydesdales.

Stan was known for his willingness to always help anyone in need, day or night. 

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Stan’s many wonderful friends who comforted him during his last days and shared delightful stories of their adventures. We would like to also thank the Lunenburg Police and Fire Departments, and the Director of Case Management and her team, as well as the doctors and nurses of the Palliative Care Department, of Leominster Hospital. 

Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, MA will be arranging the services. Calling hours will be on Sunday, 7/23 from 2-4 pm, with a celebration of Stan’s life at 4 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be private.

The family kindly asks in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be sent to either: The Lunenburg Police Relief Association, 655 Mass Ave, Lunenburg MA 01462;  MSPCA Angell , Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130; to a charity of one’s choice; or that you plant a tree or garden with Stan in mind.

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