Obituary of Lawrence F. Barnet

Lawrence (Larry) Francis Barnet, MD, 79, of Franklin Lakes, NJ passed away on April 14, 2015 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Born December 4, 1935 in Port Huron, MI, Larry was the son of John and Ruth (nee Whitliff) Barnet, and was the youngest of five children. He attended The University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1956 after only 3 years. He received his medical degree from Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago in 1960. Dr. Barnet enjoyed a long and distinguished career in medicine, during which he became affectionately known as “The Doctors’ Doctor.” He began his impressive career in 1961, spending about a year at L’Hospital St. Antoine in Jeremie, Haiti where he served as a Staff Physician with the Tom Dooley Foundation. He next honored his military service requirements at the United States Public Health Services Hospital in Staten Island, NY, first serving as a Staff Physician within the Emergency Room and Medical Clinic, and subsequently completing a one-year residency. He then spent time serving as Assistant Chief of Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, ON, Canada. His various travels ended when he joined Medical Internists, a group practice in Paterson, NJ, which also began his long and dedicated career with St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. He transitioned into his solo practice career in 1977, which he maintained for 37 years with his wife and partner, Liz, by his side. Over the years, Dr. Barnet cared for thousands of patients who sought his un-matched diagnostic capabilities, his caring touch, and his dedicated time and thorough consideration. Some of Dr. Barnet’s favorite patients were the residents of the Department for Persons with Disabilities through the Diocese of Paterson, where he cared for God’s special people for over 35 years. Larry is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 30 years, Elizabeth (Liz) (nee Fuchs), their three children, Elizabeth Ruth, Katherine Maria, and Lawrence Francis, Jr; his three children from his first marriage, Anna Magdalena, Kristin Maria, and David Paul; his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Fuchs; his two granddaughters, Charlotte and Alexandra; his brother Robert Barnet, and his wife Carol, and his sister Barbara Tincoff, and her husband, Thomas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his older brother, John (Jack) Barnet and older sister, Mary Barnet Large. Dr. Barnet received numerous awards, recognition, and accolades for his years of dedication, service, and compassion healing those as Christ called him to do. He was the first recipient of the Dean McNulty Award in the Diocese of Paterson where he was honored as an “outstanding [person] in his or her imitation of Jesus, healer of the sick, counselor of the inform, and lover of the poor.” He has been honored numerous times with the Department for Persons with Disabilities, most notably in 2006 when one of the homes for residents was named in his honor for his work, compassion, and commitment. Funeral Liturgy at St. John the Baptist Cathedral's Bishop Rodimer Community Center, 387 Grand Street, Paterson, NJ on Saturday at 9:30 AM. Please meet there. Visiting hours on Thursday from 6-9 PM and Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at DeLuccia - Lozito Funeral Home, 265 Belmont Avenue, Haledon, NJ. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dr. Barnet’s honor to any of the following benefactors: “The Barnet Booty Brigade” at the 2015 Jersey Shore Undy Run/Walk through The Colon Cancer Alliance, 1025 Vermont Ave, NW, Suite 1066, Washington, DC 20005; Department for Persons with Disabilities, PO Box 2539, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438; Sister of Charity, Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476; or The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, 381 Grand Street, Paterson, New Jersey 07505.