Yesterday August 30th, while the Barnard District and Department were assembled in quarters, celebrating the retirements of career FF's Lt Flynn and FF Everett, we were saddened to learn of the loss of a true patriarch of the Barnard family. The following was written by Pattie Morris our District Secretrary and Treasurer;

Dennis M Joy, Sr.
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Dennis joined the Barnard Family officially at the August 1979 department meeting after being on the waiting list. He was welcomed with open arms by everyone. He held many offices on the Governing side of the Fire Department; Chaplin, Board of Directors, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and President of the Barnard Fire Department. He was very active with the Department’s fundraiser, the Carnival. He also was very active in the fund drive every year. Once the mailings had gone out and most had been returned to the Department the volunteers would go door-to-door soliciting the residents who did not return the mailer. It was such a great time for the volunteers, and so many residents purposely did not send them back so they could meet the firemen in person. Leadership starts at the top he would say, and he led the team by example, no job too big or small, Dennis was always participating.

January 1, 1994, Dennis became a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. He had big shoes to fill since he took over from Byrne Coddington. Dennis again stepped up to the plate and gave the residents of the Barnard Fire District 20 years of service. He oversaw the 1997 renovation along with the other Commissioners, a task that was not easy. Working alongside Carl Veltri (his mentor) and Gene Bour and meetings until 11 p.m. was something that Dennis always cherished. And at every meeting there was a joke to tell, none that I can mention. Let’s say they never made it into the meeting minutes.

No one meant more to Dennis than his own family. Mary, his bride, as he often referred to her as, or he would say “Mary’s a saint”. His love for her was never doubted. His children, Christine, Frankie, Michelle, and Dennis Michael were his whole world, and he was proud of each of them. So proud of his grandchildren too.

A light went out when Dennis left this world, he will be so missed, we got this Dennis…