C. Barna

Franklin, NH?.. Czeslaw ""Star"" Barna, 91, died peacefully March 15, 2010, with the love of his wife by his side at Westwood Care and Rehab Center, Keene, N.H., following a period of failing health. He was born in Franklin, N.H., February 13, 1919, son of Simon and Bronislawa (Franz) Barna. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1936 and was a lifelong resident of Franklin until moving to Swanzey in 2008. Upon graduation Mr. Barna enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corp. and worked on various highway extension projects from northern N.H. into Canada and timber surveying through Dixville Notch. He also worked for Littleton Construction Co. during the construction of the Franklin Flood Control Dam and spent a winter of drilling on the Erie Canal in New York. In February of 1942 Mr. Barna was called for service in the U.S. Army and served in Central Europe during World War II, he was honorably discharged on January 17, 1946. After his military commitment he worked for Stevens Mill, Hathaway Bakeries and retired in 1982 after 24 years as a salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Mr. Barna loved sports. He boxed in a semi-pro summer league and was called ""Flash Barna"" Powder Puff Kid; he was proud of the fact he never lost a fight. Another summer he played semi-pro baseball in the Vermont-Canadian League. But, Star will best be remembered for his passion for golf. He started caddying at eleven years old, was given a 5 iron, and got all the practice he wanted at Mojalaki Country Club. During his golfing prime Star was known by golfers statewide, always recognizable by his short crew cut, signature cigar and terrific short-game. Mr. Barna was a life member of the Franklin Lodge of Elks, BPOE 1280, ?VFW Post 1698, and longtime member of Mojalaki Country Club. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Barna of Swanzey; his daughter, Norma and her husband Robert Elliott of Keene; two granddaughters, Courtney Elliott of Keene and Tanis Elliott and her husband Santiago Jacome of Ecuador; two great-grandchildren, Ariel and Tobias Jacome of Ecuador; two sisters, Wanda Hebert of Franklin, and Frances and her husband John Sokul of Concord; and numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call at the Thibault-Neun Funeral Home, 143 Franklin Street, Franklin, N.H. from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday (March 18th) followed by a funeral service at 11:00. Spring burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Mr. Barna's memory to the Elks Scholarship Fund, 192 Central St., Franklin, NH 03235. For directions and an online guestbook, please visit www.neunfuneralhomes.com