Francis Thomas Barley

Francis Thomas Barley, 89, of Sugarmill Woods in Homosassa, FL traveled from his earthly home to his eternal heavenly home on April 4, 2017. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born June 1927 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Frank & Maud Barley then moved to Bellmore, NY where he lived with his parents and 7 sisters. Frank enlisted in the US Army in August 1944 and was with the 1st Division in Germany. While stationed in Europe at the close of WWII, Frank was assigned the duty of guarding Nazi prisoners who were awaiting war crimes trial. When he returned from the war, he attended and graduated from Adelphi University under the GI Bill with a BA in Math. While visiting a friend in the hospital in Syracuse, NY, he met the love of his life, Alice Boynton who he wed June 1954 in Syracuse, NY. Together they adopted 3 children and embarked on an adventure of living life to the fullest.
Frank is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alice Barley of Sugarmill Woods. Other survivors include his children. Frank Barley and his wife Michelle of Durham ME; Daughter Mary Sparkman and her husband James of Inglis FL; and son Stephen Barley of Crystal River FL. He is also survived by his granddaughters Makenna Barley of Portland ME and Kelsey Barley of Boston MA along with sisters Edith Sourbeck, Jeanette Carlton, and Anne Verity. Frank was uncle to over 100 nieces and nephews.
Frank was in the commercial casualty & excess liability insurance business which started in NYC. Frank spent most of his career working for CNA then retired in 1989 as a Vice President with The Hartford Specialty Company of Hartford ITT where he was a recipient of the 1987 Harold S Gineen ITT award. In 1989, he retired to Sugarmill Woods FL from Westport CT. In retirement, he was a member of the Sugarmill Woods Country Club, past president of the SMW Garden Club and the Citrus Co Master Gardeners Association, and the sheriff crime watch. Early in retirement, he and his wife took a few months to travel the country visiting family and the natural wonders of the United States with no timeline or plan. This trip was one they talked about for years to come. Frank also enjoyed playing softball, gardening, and parenting but his favorite things to do were golf, fishing and reading.
A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held on Friday, May 12th at 3:00 pm at St Anne's Episcopal Church in Crystal River, FL. Interment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell FL will be held at a future date. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Enrique Velazquez and Dr. Mario Mendizabal for the years of care provided. We would also like to thank the staff of Seven Rivers Hospital, Cypress Cove Rehab Center, and Hospice of Citrus County for the care you provided during his final days on earth. Frank's final wish was in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made in his name to St. Anne's Episcopal Church 9870 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429.