Hendrik "Hank" Jan Barto

Remembering Hendrik “Hank” Barto

Hendrik Jan Barto was born on March 22, 1935 in Dordrecht, Holland to William Barto and Johanna Hein. He had an older sister named Dina.

Hank was in Europe during World War 2, playing tango, rumba, and polka on the accordion at dance clubs. He listened to the American Forces Network on the radio, which inspired him to become a jazz pianist. His influences were Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, and George Shearing. He formed a band that played at a Jazz Club in Rotterdam.

1955, Hank came to America on a boat and docked in New York. With $40, he took a bus to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he shaped his jazz skills by playing at Lauree Club.

In 1956, Hank went to California, where his new life began. While playing piano at the Big Top in Long Beach, California, he met Shirley Gene Lee, and after dating for a while, they were married in 1959. There was his soul mate, and that love grew for 65 years.

Shirley already had two girls, Jackie and Trudy. Later, Terry and Todd arrived in the family when they lived in Westminster, California. Then Huntington Beach, where they resided while raising their four children through their High School years.

1969, Hank played at the Disneyland Hotel, Jolly Roger Piano Bar, and other local Southern California clubs. He was a part of a duo with a girl singer doing top 40 hits and old standards. With Shirly, he owned an entertainment magazine called 'On the Go.'

Hank became interested in real estate as an investor and later as a Broker. Music was always his passion, and he began a longstanding booking at Old Ranch Country Club.

After his son Todd passed away in 1989, Hank and Shirley moved to Leisure World Seal Beach. Hank became involved in the community as a musician and sold real estate. He eventually created Leisure Living Resales, which sold properties for 55+ residents.

He was devoted to his wife Shirley "till death do us part" when his true love passed away on July 31, 2024. Within 6 months, he would leave to be with her once again. On July 16, 2025, Hank died of a broken heart.

Survived by…

Terry Barto – son

Trudy Espinoza – daughter

Ashlee Espinoza – granddaughter

Jackie Meyer -daughter

Joshua Apmadoc – grandson

Justin Apmadoc – grandson

Preceded by…

Shirley Barto – wife

Todd Barto – son

William Barto – father

Johanna Hein – mother

Dina Barto – sister