Robert Michael Barno

Robert “Bob” M. Barno, 88, of East Hartford, loving husband, best friend, and soul mate for over 66 years of Ann (Dagon) Barno, peacefully entered into eternal life while holding his caring wife’s hand on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Hartford Hospital. Born in Coventry on September 6, 1934, a son of the late Michael and Helen (Michaels) Barno, he had been a resident of East Hartford since 1960. He was a graduate of Windham Technical High School in Willimantic, class of 1953. Bob was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, where he was a mechanic on the F-86 Sabre Jet airplane.

Prior to his retirement in 1992, Bob was a dedicated Fire Fighter for the town of East Hartford for 27 years. During his career he was a Pumper Driver who was stationed at Engine Company 3 and Engine Company 6. In 1981, Bob was instrumental in the construction of the Hockanum Hose Company Fire Museum which housed a 1940 vintage Mack Fire Engine called “Maxine”. He was also a recipient of a commendation by the East Hartford Town Council for saving the life of a young 20 month old girl with his brother-in-law James Dagon.

Bob was a former active communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford and a member of the church Retiree’s Club. He was an avid golfer who in 1997 achieved a Hole–in-One on hole #8 at the East Hartford Golf Course. Bob enjoyed traveling and camping with his family along the East Coast of the United States with Vermont being his favorite area. He would often go for rides in his automobile taking family members on many excursions and his legacy lives on now through his children and grandchildren. Bob also looked forward to spending many post-retirement winters with his beloved wife down in Kissimmee, FL. He was also a fan of the UConn Women’s basketball team and NASCAR racing. Most of all, Bob was a true gentleman who took pride in being a devoted husband, father and grandfather and cherishing each moment spent with his entire family.

Along with his best friend and soul mate Ann, Bob is survived by two sons, John M. Barno and his wife Analisa of Manchester, Tom M. Barno and his wife Linda of Stafford Springs; two daughters, Mary Ann Karabeinikoff of Killingworth, Carol A. Barno and her significant other Daniel Rinaldi of Rocky Hill; son-in-law, Karl Karabeinikoff of East Haddam; and six adored grandchildren, Peggy Zakowicz and her husband Tom of East Hartford, Daniel Garrell of Berlin, NH, Vladimir Tremko of Berlin, NH, Brendan Karabeinikoff of East Haddam, Katy Barno of Unionville, Alexys Rinaldi and her fiancé Alessio Sparagna of Rocky Hill. He also leaves a sister, Barbara Willbrandt of Ellington; a brother-in-law, George A. Dagon and his wife Maude of Old Saybrook; special dear friends, Hank and Mary LaBell of Stafford Springs; many nieces, nephews, cousins, former co-workers, and friends. Besides his parents he was predeceased by a sister, Claire Proulx and her husband Tony of Milford.

Funeral service will be Monday (July 3, 2023) at 9:45 am from the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 am at Our Lady of Peace Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, (Section AA), East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Sunday afternoon (July 2, 2023) from 1-3 pm. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.