Epsom- Tilden Gordon Barnard 64, passed away in his Epsom, NH home on April 23, 2016.
Tilden was born in Eliot, ME on July 30th, 1951, to parents John Barnard and Virginia Bennett. He was the youngest of five siblings, and leaves behind his older brother John and his two sisters Ginger and Randy; he is predeceased by his eldest sister Judy.
Tilden attended the Eliot school system until his junior year of high school, when he joined Marshwood High School's second full class, graduating in 1969. After high school, he worked a series of construction and forestry jobs before enrolling in classes at UNH, where he pursued an English degree. At age 28, Tilden began working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and dedicated nearly 35 years of service as a programmer and systems analyst, before retiring in 2014. After retiring, he moved to Epsom to be closer to his family and friends, especially his two grandchildren, Allyson and Jackson. He leaves behind his son, James Barnard, and his daughter, Cristina Barnard, both originally of Dover, NH.
Tilden was a dedicated collector of coins and stamps, and leaves a substantial collection to his children. An avid Patriots fan, he loved spending Sundays watching football with his kids. He had an exceptional chili recipe and was the man to call on for the best holiday mashed potatoes. He loved watching Disney movies with his granddaughter, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family will be hosting open calling hours on Friday, April 29th, at the JS Pelkey Funeral Home 125 Old Post Road Kittery Maine 03904 from 6 PM – 8 PM. There will be a graveside service beginning at 11 AM on Saturday, April 30th at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Eliot, ME. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Eliot Fuel Assistance Program or the William Fogg Library, both in his hometown of Eliot Maine. Care for the Barnard family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.