Philip Holmes Barnhart

Philip Holmes Barnhart, 57, passed away peacefully at his home on May 28, 2021.

Phil was born on December 19, 1963, in Nashua, New Hampshire, son of the late Philip M. and Sally (Dunning) Barnhart.

Phil resided most of his life in Longmeadow, MA where he attended local schools and was a Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative student. He also participated in the Options program, which provides extracurricular activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As a longtime resident of Meadows Homes, Phil made many amazing friendships with housemates and staff members. He was predeceased by his longtime housemate, Mary Lou O’Connor, and leaves behind his dear friend and housemate Sean Anderson. Over many years, Phil had several caretakers and counselors he grew very fond of including Michael Reardon, Judy Squazzo, Emanuel Ononiua, Emmanuel Owusu, Judith Macintosh, and many others.

Phil retired with over twenty years of employment at American International College.

Family and friends were very important to Phil and he thoroughly enjoyed all of the holidays and birthday gatherings. He loved going to the Field Club tailgate parties where he would dance and sing along to the music. Phil’s all time favorite band was the Rolling Stones and he was lucky enough to see them in concert twice. When listening to songs on the radio, Phil loved to guess the artist’s names and could do so with remarkable accuracy. Phil’s many passions included bowling, Big Time wrestling, family vacations to Florida and trips with his Meadows Homes friends. Participating in The Special Olympics and attending UNICO dances and Tony Restivo’s Fun and Fitness Trips allowed Phil to create special memories and build numerous friendships, which came so easily to him. With his genuine smile, wittiness and affable personality, everyone who encountered Phil admired him.
Phil will be deeply missed by his brothers, Robert (and wife Shirley), James (and wife Anne) and his nieces and nephews, Sarah, Jennifer, Christopher and James, and step-mother, Barbara Barnhart, as well as a host of loving friends and relatives.

A special thank you to all the staff members of Meadows Homes and CHD, especially those of Drury Lane and Brookwood Drive, for their love, devotion and unsurpassed kindness. The family would also like to extend appreciation to Baystate Medical Center and the Hospice of Western and Central Massachusetts staffs for the wonderful care they provided Phil in his final weeks.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 11th, from 4-7pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N. Main St, East Longmeadow, MA. A service will follow at 7:00pm. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations be made in Philip’s name either to CHD, c/o Meadows Homes, 332 Birnie Avenue, Springfield, MA 01107 or online at CHD.org/donate (Meadows Homes), or Special Olympics Massachusetts, online at https://support.specialolympics.org.
To leave an online condolence or for more information, visit www.forastiere.com.