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Barry VanHorn Obituary
AGE: 63 • Somerville
Barry W. Van Horn, 63, passed away suddenly March 27, 2015.
Barry was born on March 15, 1952 in Somerville, NJ. He was the son of the late Dorothy (Russell) and George Van Horn, and was a lifelong resident of Somerville. He was a 1971 graduate of Somerville High School. Barry was currently employed as the Fire Official for the Borough of Somerville for the past 23 years, and more recently, for the Borough of South Bound Brook as well. Prior to that, he worked for Somerset County Sheriff's Office where he started as a Corrections Officer, then a Deputy. Barry was an active volunteer firefighter for the Somerville Fire Department. He was a member of West End Hose Company #3 for more than 40 years, serving as ex-captain and head driver. He also was a member of Somerville Rescue Squad where he was an ex-captain and crew chief. He was a recipient of the Somerset County 200 Club Award, and a member of the Eagles, the Sons of American Legion Post 12, the Somerset County Fire Marshals Association, and the Somerset County Arson Task Force. Barry was involved with the building of the Somerville Training Tower and restoration of the Somerville Fire Museum. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and woodworking, and was especially devoted to serving the Fire Department which was the joy of his life. Barry will be sadly missed by his family and friends and he will never be forgotten.
Surviving are his devoted wife of 36 years, Denise Van Horn, his children Amy Van Horn, Barry Van Horn, and Brian Collins, and three grandchildren, Charlie, Michael, and Juliana.
Visitation will be 4-8pm on Tuesday at the Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, 111 North Gaston Ave, Somerville with a Fireman's service at 6:30pm. Cremation will be private. A memorial service celebrating Barry's life will be held at a later date.
Donations can be made to the West End Hose Company #3, 133 West High Street, Somerville. To send condolences to the family, visit brucecvanarsdalefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barry VanHorn
Stephen Dean
March 23, 2023
Still miss ya brother
Steve Dean
March 23, 2021
Still miss you my brothers
Stephen Dean
March 23, 2019
On your anniversary, all I can say is I think of you everyday. You were a friend and brother in arms. I'll always remember the times together. Be well till we meet again
Ralph Pastore
April 27, 2015
Barry was a year a head of me in high school, just new him to say hi to and if my memory serves me correctly he was involved with the F.D. back then. For some reason he was one of those guys that stuck out. Kind of stuck in my head. From time to time when I was in town I saw Barry from a distance on a fire truck and thought he is a career guy!!But kind of weird, I have long since moved away from N.J. and was looking at one of our Local fire companies web page, Kutztown F.D. and for some reason looked at their fallen hero's page. I saw a name from the past, sort of gave me a reality check on how much time has passed! I too have many years in EMS and firefighting. My I express sincere condolences from myself and Weisenberg Fire Station 51, Kutztown PA. Ralph Pastore
Sis
April 5, 2015
I frist meet Barry in 1975. My family where also members of the FD in this area since the late 1800's. When Barry started the museum I had to check that out. Over the year we ran into each other, a home I live in had caught on fire and Barry was the frist on scene. When I walk by dog around town he would wave and it feeled so good knowing he was around To protect us and made us so proud
Susan Kennedy ( Wille )
April 4, 2015
I left the Somerville area in 1991 & hadn't seen Barry for years. I went to school with him & always thought of him as a great guy! My sincere condolences to the family & Barry may you rest in peace.
Staff of Capelli Belli Salon
April 1, 2015
We are so saddened by the untimely passing of Barry. It was always a pleasure to see him walk through the door just before closing, we shared many stories of Somerville with him. The love and pride he had for his wife and children was obvious. He will be truly missed by us all.
April 1, 2015
Percy :Take care my friend . You will be missed
Marvine Warren
March 31, 2015
Denise,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that I will be praying for you and your family.
March 31, 2015
Our sincere condolences on the untimely passing of Barry. Elizabeth Tozzi and Sharon Tozzi Triggs
March 31, 2015
1 frist meet barry when was 15 yrs old and yrs later he and i stayed friends. I was at a home i lived in that caught fire, he was frist TO BE ON SCENE. GREAT MAN, GREAT FIREMAN ,HE CARE ABOUT SOMERVILLE. RIP BARRY
Michele Giles
March 31, 2015
Our Condolences to you and your family, We will miss his jokes and great kindness as he gave us all smiles. You will be missed A Great Guy Gone to Soon!!
Donna DeMonte
March 31, 2015
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one. I only knew him as a customer at Rite Aid and he was always a friendly and kind man. I am sure he will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. I hope you find peace knowing he is home with our Heavenly Father, may God Bless you all at this time of sorrow.
paul jasniewicz
March 30, 2015
we were friends in high school. it,s sad that your life ended so early .we,ll hang out again someday.
March 30, 2015
RIP brotyer
Monica Lindner Fisher
March 30, 2015
Please accept my condolences in the sudden death of your husband, father, and grandfather. I have known Barry for too many years and he was always kind and caring. He was a Somerville ICON who will be missed by many. RiP Barry
Sheri and Dean Shelley
March 30, 2015
Denise,
So sorry to hear about Barry. Seems like just yesterday I was maid of honor at your wedding. Our thoughts and prayers our with you and your family at this difficult time.
March 30, 2015
Barry's Mom was my brothers godmother and we were childhood friends. So sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family and may God's love help you through this time of heartbreak.
March 30, 2015
I morn the loss of a great nephew.
Uncle Al
Larry Pecora
March 30, 2015
Barry would come to our facility every year to do our required fire inspection. We will miss his expertise as a Marshall and his kindness as a person. Staff of Somerset Ambulatory Surgery Center
March 30, 2015
Amy, Charlie & family - My sincerest condolensces on the passing of your Father. Will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers. Susan, Danel & Madison
G K
March 30, 2015
YOU MADE SOMERVILLE PROUND , REST IN PEACE
Thea Darby-Phillips
March 30, 2015
To The Van Horn Family we are so sorry to hear of the loss such a wonderful man my mom and him we're good friends and he was a good family friend and he used to talk to me a lot when my mom past 12 years ago. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.God Bless... Amen..
Stacie Buckmire
March 29, 2015
Sorry for the loss. Prayers are out to the family. Barry was always on the go. God, has his reasons for pulling the goods ones to soon.
March 29, 2015
Denise,
We were saddened to hear of Barry's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Joan and Tom Guinane
Longwood, Florida
Ann Wiertel
March 29, 2015
Barry will be missed! So sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Ann Wiertel
toni marshall
March 29, 2015
May God Bless You and your family at this time James and Toni marshall
McAdam Family
March 29, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers go to the VanHorn Family. Barry, a great friend, Dad, Granddad, Husband..we will miss him.
Steve Dean
March 29, 2015
My thoughts and prayers to the VanHorn family. He was a great man. He will be missed greatly. I am honored to call him my friend.
A.J. Kohut
March 28, 2015
I just wanted to send my condolences to your family. God bless you all
Paula Giles
March 28, 2015
To The VanHorn Family, I am sending my sincere thoughts an prayers to you and your family. I have known Barry for many years. We went to school together. He will be sadly missed by everyone.
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