Juan "Juancito" J. Barnett, Sr.

Juan Juliano Barnett was born on June 25th, 1945 in Panamá Republic of Panamá. In 1960 he migrated to Brooklyn, N.Y. with sister Juliet and brother Talbert to join their mother and other siblings.

He attended George Westinghouse High School where he was trained as a Film Editor. Upon graduating he was hired by The Public Broadcasting Station (Channel Thirteen) as a Film Editor and he was later promoted to Senior Broadcast Engineer. Juan worked for PBS for 54 years and retired in 2008.

Juan met and married his childhood sweetheart, Iris Barnett on April 22, 1967. They were blessed with four beautiful children; Juan Jr., Graciela, Rafael (Deceased), and Omar. Juan and Iris were together for 36 years, unfortunately, following a long period of illness she passed in 2003.

Juan also loved spending time with all of his grandchildren. He planned and took them on numerous trips to the zoo, movies, museums, Williamsburg, Virginia, Rhode Island and Canada; They saw Niagara Falls from both sides and many other places.

Juan enjoyed collecting and restoring unusual cars. He was always seeking out and accepting the challenge of restoring classic vintage cars, including Bentleys and Rolls Royces. His pride was chauffeuring his family and friends around town in style. He participated annually in the Panamanian Day Parade and several car shows with the Prowler, where he won trophies and awards.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children; Juan Jr., Graciela Valentina, Rafael Ali (Deceased), Omar Torrijos, and Rawle Sealey, his grandchildren; Levon McMullen and wife Karoll, Elijah Barnett, Kadar Gayle, Brandon Barnett, Azalea Barnett, George Weathers III, Jaidah Barnett, Carmela Barnett and Isaiah Barnett, his daughters-in-law; Monique Barnett and AnNur Barnett, his sisters and brothers, Juliet Holness, Burlington Barnett Jr. (Deceased), Talbert Barnett, Mercedes Imperator, and Marva Garnes, his sisters-in-law; Leslie MacAuley, Ivy Agard, Desara Oestricher, his brothers-in-law; Milton Holness, Dewitt Luff, Ivan Imperator and Glen Oestricher, his goddaughter, Ashley Franklin, 1 living uncle-Victor Bell, nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins and friends.

Juan was loved by all; to know him was to love him.

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