Paul Joseph Francis Barnes

NORTON – Paul Joseph Francis Barnes, 80, of Norton, formerly a longtime resident of North Attleboro, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Saint Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. He was the beloved husband of Melanie Ann (Bielinski) Barnes.

Born on July 12, 1945, in Waltham, Massachusetts, he was the loving son of the late Francis G. Barnes and Rose C. (Cedrone) DeAngelis. Paul grew up in Arlington and was a 1963 graduate of Arlington High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Boston College in 1967.

Paul served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War era, earning the rank of Sergeant before his honorable discharge on May 28, 1971.

A longtime employee of McDonald's Corporation, Paul worked his way up over the course of thirty-six years, retiring from the company as a district manager in 2009.

A man of strong Catholic faith, Paul was a longtime communicant of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in North Attleboro and Saint Mary's Church in Norton.

He was a devoted Boston and New England sports fan-especially of the Boston Red Sox-and rarely missed a game. He frequently attended games at Fenway Park and loved cheering on his children at their games over the years, often planning family trips around them. His happiest moments were those spent in the company of his loving family.

In addition to his beloved wife, Melanie, he is survived by his sons, Jared M. Barnes and his wife Caroline of Richmond, VA, and Justin P. Barnes of San Francisco, CA; and his cherished grandson, Jack S. Barnes of Richmond, VA. He was the dear brother of Joseph DeAngelis of North Attleboro and his companion Sharon Desbecker of Concord, MA. He also leaves two nephews. Paul was the brother of the late Roberta Mazzola and the stepson of the late Joseph H. DeAngelis.

Visitation, to which relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend, will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the SPERRY-MCHOUL-PICHI FUNERAL HOME, 15 Grove Street, North Attleboro. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in his honor by the Reverend David A. Costa on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church (Transfiguration of the Lord Parish), 14 Park Street, North Attleboro. Interment with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or online at www.dana-farber.org/gift.