I had no idea going into this just how many people really appreciated Chris and still think about him. The first version of the site was pretty much just text and clips, but the response was terrific. One request I got a lot was for "more pics." I had bought an application to build a site for my business and got a chance to try it out by re-doing this site. So now you've got "more pics" and maybe a better layout; hope you enjoy it. Also, I am still working on this project, so check back from time to time for new content.
fifteen miles from New York City. He was the fourth of seven children, all of whom strongly resembled one another (including the prominent front teeth), most were blonde, and during the Seventies all of the boys had the same “Prince Valiant” hairstyle that we associate with Chris. From all accounts Chris was a low key but friendly, fun kid, not a "born entertainer" or class clown type. He was sometimes mischievous but never bad, intelligent but not bookish. All of he children were well grounded and well liked. (There was sort of a “Tanner” among the bunch for a while, but it wasn’t Chris, and that individual has since turned out OK, too.)
Chris's father held a degree from Columbia University Law School and was a partner in the Townley and Updike law firm in Manhattan. His mother was a nurse who became a full-time stay at home mom, and could always be seen driving the children to and from activities and hauling extraordinary amounts of groceries into the house. The Barneses were people with the sound of children playing. The house was never locked, and if one of the childrens' friends arrived and no one was home, they were welcome to let themselves in, go into the family room and turn on the TV and wait for someone to come home.
Chris's parents were devout Catholics who didn't smoke or drink, and the children were expected to adhere to their parent's fairly conservative values and to be actively involved with their faith. Chris was no exception, and at the same time you were laughing at Tanner Boyle at your local theater, Chris was back home serving Mass at Saint Joe's.. He started attending Saint Joseph's grade school in 1977 after six years at Oradell Public School and then went on to the nearby Bergen Catholic High School, graduating in 1983.