Hal Goodwin Barnes

Hal Goodwin Barnes passed away peacefully on October 25,2025 at the age of 70. Hal was a beloved husband, brother, uncle and friend. He was a former City of Fort Lauderdale employee who dedicated 25 years of distinguished service to his community.
Hal was born in Rocky Mount, NC on October 10, 1955. He grew up in a close-knit family with his parents and three siblings. Hal was a 1973 honor graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High School. He attended NC State University in Raleigh and graduated with departmental honors in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
After graduation, Hal began his career with Carolina Telephone & Telegraph, a NC based telecom subsidiary of United Telecom / Sprint. For over 17 years, he worked in various engineering assignments in eastern NC, Kansas City, MO and Poland, before leaving the industry in 1994 and moving to south Florida, where he would call home for the rest of his life.
Hal began his career with the City of Fort Lauderdale in 1996 as a Project Engineer in the Public Works Department. He later served as Engineering Design Manager before becoming the first Manager of the Neighborhood Support Division in 2012, a position he held until his retirement in 2022. Through his visionary leadership, Hal helped shape numerous programs and initiatives that further strengthened the connection between the city and its neighbors. Hal's legacy of public service, innovation and compassion earned recognition at every level within the City of Fort Lauderdale and continues to inspire the Neighborhood Support Division that he cherished. Hal's positive impact on the city and its neighborhoods will be remembered for generations.
Hal was preceded in death by his beloved parents, James H. Barnes and Margaret Vick Barnes Coston. He is survived by his spouse, Francisco Andre Rabelo and their beautiful Welsh Corgi "Sushi"; his two sisters Lisa Barnes Flanagan and Linda Barnes Hall; one brother James H. Barnes, Jr.; many wonderful nieces, nephews and two beautiful godchildren.
A Celebration of Life honoring Hal will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 3PM – 8PM at the Fort Lauderdale Women's Club, 20 South Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Fort Lauderdale Women's Club in Hal's honor.