Randel Barnett

FALMOUTH — Randy Barnett passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007. He was 56.

A talented writer, Randy was an outstanding tennis player, and most proudly, a remarkable husband and father.

Randy grew up in Alexandria, Va., where in high school he starred on the basketball and tennis teams, as well as met his future wife, Nancy. He went on to become captain of the Harvard tennis team and receive his graduate degree from the Columbia School of Journalism. He and Nancy raised their two daughters, Sara and Kate, in Baltimore, Md. There, Randy worked as a freelance writer, specializing in in-depth investigative pieces for Baltimore Magazine, Washingtonian Magazine, and Warfield's Magazine. He also coached his daughters' sports teams on both the local and national levels.

After living in Fresno, Calif., for five years, Randy and Nancy settled in Falmouth in 2004. He was a member of the championship Falmouth tennis team of the Cape Cod Town Team Division "A" Tennis League.

Randy spent more than 50 cherished summers on Martha's Vineyard. He valued family and friends (and tennis, and a perfectly cooked lobster) above all else. His wisdom and sense of humor brought comfort and smiles to those around him. He will be remembered as saying, "Take what you do seriously, but don't take yourself seriously."

Randy is survived by his wife, Dr. Nancy K. Barnett; daughters, Sara and Kate; mother, Jeanne; two sisters, Megan and Jane; mother-in-law, Dolores Snow; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Susan and John Graczyk. He also leaves a nephew, Brandon Graczyk, and two nieces, Adrienne Hanson and Kelsey Grazcyk.

In Randy's memory, friends are invited to join family on Nov. 3, 2007, for a walk along the Shining Sea Bike Path. We will gather at Surf Drive, where it intersects the bike bath at 10 a.m. and walk to his home. There will be a reception following at the house.

A fund will be established through the USTA Tennis and Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships and assists in developing after-school, mentoring, literacy and tennis programs for at-risk children throughout the U.S. Checks can be made to the USTA Tennis and Education Foundation and sent to Megan Barnett, 6641 Wakefield Drive, Apt. 615, Alexandria, VA 22307.