Dennis L. Barnes

Dennis Lee Barnes of York, Maine, passed away at home on March 12, 2026. Born on October 8, 1943, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Aubrey (Gilchrest) Barnes Downs and Dwight Frank Barnes, he was raised by his mother and stepfather, John W. Downs. His grandparents were Leon and Gracie (Spinney) Gilchrest and Loristin and Margaret (Bray) Barnes.

Dennis was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Patricia “Pat” (Morse) Barnes, whom he married on March 24, 1963. Together they built a home on the ridge where they both grew up. A United States Army veteran, Dennis was self-taught in many outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, hunting, and fishing. In 1986 he became a Registered Maine Guide, later earning the distinction of Master Maine Guide after 35 years specializing in hunting black bear, whitetail deer, and eastern turkey. His greatest joy came from sharing the outdoors with young people and first-timers. An animated storyteller, he loved recounting tales around the campfire, capturing those moments with his camera and later preserving them in written memoirs that will be treasured by his family for generations.

Dennis is survived by his four children, Debra (Joseph Crepeau), Paula Barnes, Darren (Christina) Barnes, and Michael (Jessica) Barnes; ten grandchildren, Andrea (Gregory Holden) Barnes, Bryan Barnes, Justin Marquis, Christine Barnes, Heather (Marquis) Rodrigues, Vanessa Barnes, Aaron Crepeau, Devon (Jennifer) Barnes, and Gabrielle Barnes; and eight great-grandchildren, Dillon Holden, Carson Barnes, Desmond Crepeau, Connor Nunan, Allana Rodrigues, Ellie Montalvo, Amara Barnes, and Grayson Canty. He was predeceased by a grandson, Orion Barnes. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.