Charles J Barr III, 45, of Bradford, died on December 28, 2020. He was one of the 300,000+ victims of COVID-19.
Charlie was born in Bradford on April 19, 1975. He was the son of Carolyn Ann Barr, who preceded him in death in 2012.
Charlie attended Bradford Area Schools, graduating in 1996. As a toddler, Charlie was diagnosed with developmental disabilities and autism, but they never hampered his ability to live life to the fullest. He was involved in Special Olympics from the youngest age that he could compete, and began working at Futures Rehabilitation Center in 1990 while still in high school. Except for a brief leave of absence, he was employed there until his death.
Charlie was a joy to everyone who he met, and he wasted no time making new friends wherever he went. His smile was infectious and his genuineness was undeniable. He was a lover of the Buffalo Bills and the band KISS and at least a thousand more subjects. He was a loud and proud Democrat who voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and was anxiously looking forward to watching the inauguration. He won the gold medal for swimming at the State Special Olympics in 2018. He never stopped learning. He never stopped caring for his friends and family. It was who he was. He was pure.
Charlie is survived by his sister and his brother-in-law, Lori and Scott Bebko, with whom he resided, and a special friend, Carol Cornelius. He is also survived by his nephews, Zachary (Tiffany) Boon, Benjamin Boon, his niece, Amanda (Nicholas Freer) Boon, in Bradford. He is also survived by his nieces Heather (James) Varner of Williston, Florida, and Kat (Maxwell Cercone) Boon of Longmont, Colorado; and 17 great-nieces and nephews. He is already missed by the family cat, Goose.
There will be no funeral or visitation, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Arrangements are under the direction of the Mascho Funeral Home in Bradford. A celebration of Charlie’s life will take place when it is safe, once again, to eat, drink, dance, and to be together to celebrate all things “Chucky”. Charlie’s most fervent wish, because he really did love everyone, is that everyone masks up, so that they don’t have to experience the pain of loss his family and friends are going through.
Donations, if desired, may be made to the McKean County Special Olympics.
Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.