Carl H. Barnes

AUGUSTA -- An icon of ice cream from central Maine, Carl H. Barnes, 94, of Sewall Street died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at home, with his family at his bedside.

He was born in Farmingdale on Oct. 16, 1913, son of Harland S. Barnes and Phoebe Corkum Barnes.

He lived in Augusta since 1915, when his family established Alta Vista Dairy farm on Hospital Street. He graduated from Cony High School where he was active in athletics and a member of the undefeated state championship football team of 1932.

He was manager and later owner of Barnes and Son Cash Market on Bridge Street in Augusta, where he manufactured his own ice cream until called to serve in World War II. At that time, the ice cream business was moved to 41 Sewall St., where his wife, Betty (McLaughlin) Barnes, whom he married in 1938, continued the business. On returning from the Army, he expanded the ice cream business. Over the next six decades, with his son, Richard, Barnes Family Ice Cream was distributed throughout the state of Maine.

He was a volunteer Augusta fireman for 18 years and a Civil Defense volunteer. He was a life member of Fitzgerald-Cummings Post 2 American Legion and a member of John F. McPherson Chapter 1 Disabled American Veterans. He was a life member of the Kennebec Historical Society, a member of the Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants, and a member of the William Brewster Society and the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club. Sports he enjoyed were sailing, skiing and snowmobiling. He also had a lifelong interest in gardening.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty, in 2001; and his sister, Ruth Barnes Trial.

He is survived by children, Nancy B. Hill, of Charleston, S.C., Richard C. Barnes, of Augusta, and daughter Margaret "Snooky" LaVallee and her husband, Ronald, of West Gardiner and Queen Valley, Ariz. His grandchildren are Jason R. Barnes and his wife, Karen, of Westbrook, Rachel Chandler and her husband, Drew, of Durango, Colo., Kayte Barnes, of Durango, Jake Barnes, of Augusta, Jenna LaVallee, of Portland, and Dr. James LaVallee, of West Gardiner. He had one great-grandchild, Fiona Chandler, and several nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours are 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Avenue, Augusta. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Winthrop Street, Augusta.

Memorial donations may be made to Howell House, 44 Sewall St., Augusta, ME 04330 or the charity of one's choice.

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home Web site at www.plum merfh.com.