Tristan Michael Barth

Tristan’s sense of joy and wonder began at an early age. Growing up in Sarasota, he was naturally drawn to the beach and outdoor activities. His neighborhood friends were like family, celebrating birthdays, sleep overs, adventures in the yard and just being kids. They grew up together from toddlers to young adults and even attended the same middle school and part of high school.

He enjoyed his pet creatures and fish of all sizes, caring for them with his dad’s guidance. Before he could speak, he was a Florida Gator fan, donning a Gator jersey while attending fall games with his parents. At a tender age, his mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which had a great impact on him for many years, but he never stopped encouraging her to keep fighting!

His years at Fruitville Elementary School were the beginning of some lifelong friendships. It was here that his wit, creative mind, impressive writing style and “larger than life” personality started to take shape and he excelled in academics. Field trips to Lowry Park Zoo, Animal Kingdom and Kennedy Space Center were some of his favorites. As with most young kids, his birthday parties always had a theme and mom did her best to design special cakes for him. Dad shared his love of nature and gardening with him, took him to local fishing spots, coached him in flag football and was a team dad for the Sarasota Ringling Redskins football league. Summer and holiday vacations to Asheville, Melbourne, Miami and Sanibel were just great fun. When he was 10, he welcomed his one and only dog, Tux. Tristan loved him as a brother and Tux brought great joy to him and his parents.

Tristan attended middle school at Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences, where new friendships emerged. His core group of friends spent time at Payne Skate Park, the beach and Jump & Fun. Transitioning from elementary to middle school was more difficult than expected, but he continued to do his best to overcome what was the beginning of his struggles throughout his short life. He was greatly impacted by the death of a coach who had been his mentor. This was a defining moment for Tristan - the beginning of a long journey of mental illness that he and his parents navigated for years. At the age of 13, he used music as a creative outlet - teaching himself how to play electric guitar and riffing on the piano.

He began high school at Sarasota Military Academy where he was a member of the 9th grade Rifle Team, made more new friendships and worked hard to keep up with his studies, but his struggle continued with his mental illness. Working through some support programs, he completed his 10th grade year with high grades. In his junior year, he transferred to Sarasota High School and was a linebacker for the Sarasota High Sailors football team, completed his studies, then graduated in May 2018.

Family holiday times were very special to Tristan. He was deeply loved by a very large family on both his father and mother’s sides. Many occasions were celebrated in his home that he enjoyed his entire life. As he got older, it was fun to watch him hide Easter eggs for younger cousins or wrap the Christmas gifts, trim the tree and fill stockings.

He loved heading to “the Swamp” each fall to attend University of Florida Gator games with his parents, friends and family. Being the son of two UF alumni, meant he bled orange and blue. When he was young, he would wait outside the stadium for the players to come out to sign his football helmet. He also enjoyed attending Tampa Bay sports: the Rays, the Bucs and the Lightning games. One of his favorite sports was fishing with his dad, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors. From an early age, he would surf fish on Siesta Key, head to the Ringling Bridge or drop a line in at Phillippi Creek. But when he was old enough for offshore and inshore charter fishing, fishing took on a whole new excitement. He was certainly in his element on the water and the rush was real. Being on the water was also where Tristan felt at peace while kayak fishing and spearfishing. He also enjoyed time in Myakka State Park camping under the stars.

Family vacations were extra special for him, as it was a chance for him to explore, learn and enjoy different climates. From trips to national parks in Utah, to Colorado, historic places like Washington D.C, Savannah & Charleston to north Georgia, the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tristan loved it all. During the summer of 2018, he and his parents took a “trip of a lifetime” to Maui. It was there that Tristan was overcome by the wonders of the island. He was mesmerized by the mountains, coastline, Koa trees, sunsets and change of topography. He felt alive just riding along the famous Road to Hana and taking hikes along the crashing waves of Maui’s remote surf hideaways.

If you were lucky enough to be around Tristan’s laughter, sense of humor, infectious spirit and compassionate nature, you were blessed. He shone brightly in the smallest of ways, helping others in need, lifting his friends up when they were down and being kind to those with special needs, like his uncle Doug. His core group of friends meant the world to him and he treated them as brothers. You could usually find them in one of their favorite spots: South Lido Beach Park, skimboarding on Siesta Beach, longboarding around town, or hanging out near the celery fields.

“Our world has been forever changed, but we know our son, Tristan, is in God’s loving arms. He is our angel watching over us now. We love him and know his spirit will always be in our hearts.” – Dennis & Annette.

He is survived by his loving parents Dennis A. and Annette D. Barth of Sarasota; grandmother, Rosa(Linda) M. Herrera of Sarasota, FL; aunt Rosalie M. Herrera & Randy Stewart of Raleigh, NC; aunt Tina & Stephen Boucher of Greenville, SC; uncle Frank M. and Sara Herrera of Melbourne, FL; aunt Deborah(Debi) & William Pippin of Inverness, FL; aunt Dorothy(Dottie) & James Shirk of Sarasota, FL; uncle David & Linda Barth of Brandon, FL; uncle Douglas Barth of Sarasota, FL; uncle Darrin & LoriLynn Barth of Hiram, GA and 20 cousins.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dewey N. and Carol J. Barth of Sarasota, FL; Frank A. Herrera of Sarasota, FL and uncle Anthony M. Herrera of Asheville, NC.

A funeral mass will be held at 10am Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Saint Martha Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236. An interment service will take place following at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park – 170 Honore Avenue Sarasota, FL 34232

The service may be viewed at servicewebcast.com. The service password is Tristan0218. The virtual room will open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled service start time. Please note that the start of the live webcast will begin when the actual service begins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 18th at South Lido Beach Park.

Details will be sent out in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mental Health Project Fund at here4youth.org.

Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with final care.