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Huge turnout expected at funeral for Wallington Firefighter John Barnas

TRIBUTE: A full fireman’s funeral for Firefighter John Barnas, a Wallington native who lived in Jersey City, is scheduled for 11 a.m. this Thursday at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wallington.

Photo Credit: WALLINGTON FD):
Photo Credit: WALLINGTON FD):
Photo Credit: WALLINGTON FD):

Visiting hours for Barnas, 23, who beat lymphoma but died yesterday after being stricken with pneumonia, are set for 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Warner-Wozniak Funeral Home on Midland Avenue in Wallington.

Mourners are expected to line Wallington’s streets on Thursday the way they did for Barnas’ father’s funeral.

Barnas’s father, Fire Capt. Gregory Barnas, died in a Wallington restaurant fire in late February. He had been donating blood cells for John — whose brother, Kevin, is also a firefighter — as he underwent chemotherapy.

Police on Thursday will close:

John, Greg Barnas (above & below)

  • Midland Avenue (8:45 to 10:30 a.m.);
  • Paterson Avenue from Locust to Carlton avenues (10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.);
  • Bond Street (10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.);
  • Dankhoff Avenue (10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.);
  • Johnson Avenue from Van Dyke Street to Paterson Avenue (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.);
  • Wadsworth Street from Johnson to Morrissee avenues (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Following the Mass, a procession will move to the Johnson Avenue fire station for a final alarm.

“The wounds are so fresh from before and now they’re opened up and deeper,” Wallington Fire Commissioner Mark Tomko, “so it’s been a rough go for the whole family.”

Firefighters from inside and out of Wallington, Bergen County, New Jersey and the country contributed and sponsored blood drives and other fundraisers to help Barnas, who began in the junior academy and, like his dad, applied to work for the Jersey City department.

“John was just like his father,” Tomko said, bestowing the ultimate compliment.

FIREMAN’S FUNERAL (Courtesy WALLINGTON FD): “We are asking any departments that will be arriving in fire apparatus to please enter from Midland Avenue in Garfield. Apparatus can park to the side of the roadway as directed and the personnel can walk up Midland Avenue to the funeral home. Please do not block Midland Avenue (as per our PD). Limitation of fire apparatus would be appreciated on the day of the funeral, however apparatus will be accommodated. Following the Church Services, the procession will proceed to the Johnson Avenue Firehouse for a ceremony at the firehouse and John’s final alarm.”

 

 

 

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