by his Friends

By Anthony V. (“Big Ant”)

Dear Chris, I know it has been a long time but since the moment I heard about your condition you have been on my mind and in my heart. I have thought about you on many occasions in the past because of the many memories I have of our friendship.

 

You are a great friend and of all the mistakes I have made in life, the biggest one was letting you go as a friend. I have read all of the posts on your web page and I find myself crying when I hear of you crying and I find myself smiling when I hear of you smiling.

 

I smile and laugh when I think of all the memories I have of you, Brian, Kim and the rest of your family. For a time in my life, you were part of my family and I was a part of yours. I remember playing football on Thanksgiving in front of your house at 33 President with Matt and Brian. I remember playing basketball all the time, everywhere, everything was a backboard. I remember summers in your pool at your Mom’s house and rating our dives off of the railings, sleeping at your Dad’s on the weekends and in the winter you dragging me on the sled with your Kawasaki three wheeler. I remember P.A.L. wrestling, wrestling camp and wrestling through Junior high school and even though I weighed a lot more than you we always partnered up. I remember sleeping at your Mom's house and playing Super Mario Brothers with you and Brian. I remember watching Yankee games and eating pretzels and chips and rooting for Don Mattingly and for some reason, Brian's favorite player was Dale Murphy. I remember camping at Smith Point Beach during the summer and looking at the girls, I remember going to Action Park every year with your Mom, George, Kim and Brian. I remember trick or treating and egging houses. I remember when you got your 100 watt stereo for Christmas and you would see how loud it went.

 

There were so many memories that I can't list them all. Now times are different and your life has changed but you are still a very lucky man. You have a beautiful wife and son and so many people who care and love you. I just wanted to say I am sorry I haven't been there for you in the past years but I am here for you now if you or your family need me.

 

I know in my heart that if anyone can recover from your condition it is you and never give up. I hope to see you soon and fight hard.

 

By Michael Corliss Jr, :

Chris and I have known each other for many years but we didn’t necessarily begin getting close until we both went off to college (separate schools in upstate NY). A lot of our friends were living or going to school in NYC at the time and we were simply left to spend time with each other during the winter and summer breaks on the east end of Long Island.

 

A couple of years past and we both found ourselves migrating to NYC ourselves. When I first came to NYC I was basically homeless with no place to unpack my clothes, rest my toothbrush or call home. I would spend my nights deciding whether to sleep at my brothers or girlfriends apartment depending on who would allow me. Chris was living in a one-bedroom apartment at the time, and he offered the other half of that bedroom to me for a week or so. Six months later, I was still there without complaints or concern from him. For those of you who don't know Chris and for those who do know him can attest to, he is one of the most selfless and humble people I have ever come across in my life.

 

I easily could write stories that we shared together but I don’t think anything I write would truly due justice to who or what Chris Barnes is…and to that I simply ask for your help and prayers to get Chris back to where he was for all of us…

 

By Tom Corliss :

Funny to say... I've known Chris since the 6 grade. Well, we never actually spoke to each other until 8th grade but the girls in my 6th grade class would always talk about this cute boy with the blue eyes. I believe Chris and I became friends through our love for playing sports. Chris was naturally athletic and just loved to run around and be active. Barnesie was the kind of friend you wouldn't get in trouble with well at least he wouldn't be the one initiating it... that was probably me. Looking back at our friendship he was always a pleasure to be around - never judgmental, always fair and very competitive but in a positive way. Chris always instinctually impressed confidence and leadership without being a bully. He somehow remained non-materialistic in a materialistic world and always appreciated the simple things in life - being honest, being happy, being loyal and loving his friends and family. Chris always had this big happy, genuine smile on his face, no matter what could be troubling him - you would never know.

 

Chris and I have been down many cross roads over the past 20 years. We've always had a similar outlook on life which drew us together as friends. We were there for each other in struggling times and he would always say to me TC, "make it happen." Well, we definitely make it happen at times and I will always love him for being a team player!! For everyone out there that is reading this, if there is one person you should help - Chris is the person because he would truly, from the bottom of his heart be thankful!!

 

By Maurice Sean Tarry:

Christopher George Barnes or as I used to call him George or Chrissy. And he would say Tarrrrrrrryyyyyyyy! – What are you doing? – watching SportsCenter again- you fat bastard. The way it was. I miss you Chris. I miss you, me and Tom and them days. Chris had style like no other. I remember wearing his clothes all the time – and people would call me out in school – That’s Chris Barnes’ Sweater – You know trying to embarrass me – but I was like - Chris is my boy, you know, he hooked a brother up. Which is what he always did! If you were rolling with Chris and he had $5.00 – you had $2.50. Have you ever seen a more beautiful kid?! And how did he handle it? You know if I looked like Chris – you wouldn’t be able to talk to me! Chris was always so humble with everything. How nice was he at B-ball! But he never embarrassed anyone. He and his whole family – greet everyone with open arms. And you know what I mean if you ever had Mr. Barnes’ 5:30am breakfast or his Mom’s mashed potatoes. There is so much I want to write and if I never stopped writing I couldn’t explain what Chris means to me, or tell you all the stories that we been through – and I know most of you hope I don’t including Chris!! LOL! So I leave you with some lasting images: Number 11, Pull It, Basketball Practice, Ohio, Subway, Tom’s 3Z, Tom’s Basement, The Bowery, Chevy’s, Escapes, The Barn, Your Backyard, Macy’s, Spicy Wings, Drinking, Drinking, and more Drinking, 8 Stuyvesant Oval, Every small bar on the Lower East Side, Modeling – Children!!!!! Chris – It has truly been my great fortune to know you and my extreme honor to call you My Friend! I love you Always!