A Fitting Tribute For Reggie Barkyoumb

I did not attend the visiting hours for Reggie at the Funeral Home, but was told that the hours were scheduled to go until 9 p.m., but went until about 10 p.m. with a long waiting line through the evening.

The family purchased a special Red Sox Casket for Fairfax's No 1 Red Sox fan which was truly fitting. Reggie was carried into St. Lukes by 8 of his nieces who had always been very close to him. They were dressed in black slacks and white blouses with a red rose pinned to the blouse and wore white gloves. The church was filled to capacity.

Bill Considine spoke about Reggie's life at the service and also read a poem that had been written by his nieces. This part of the service is sometimes very private, however at times some of the families have shared the remembrances with me and allowed me to put it up here on the forum. Right now it is time to let them go on with the grieving process.

The funeral procession took the Huntville Road Route and went by the Old Hillcrest Poultry Farm and down Boissoneault Road. The procession was truly very long and unfortunately there was no traffic control or identification that it was a funeral procession, other than the hearse at the beginning. People, out of respect, usually stop, but in this case there were a number of cars that I met that appeared quite upset with the long line of cars. When I got to the small bridge near the end of Boissoneault Road, a car actually gunned it and met a car on the bridge, which fortunately was a small compact car.

Some of the cars I met earlier may have come down Huntville Road and the car trying to cross the bridge at the same time as another car was coming across may have come down Fletcher Road and thought it was just a big holdup, not realizing it was a funeral. Anyhow, hopefully the bridge will open today and put an end to such things before a serious accident occurs.

I did not go up to the cemetery, but was told that Gary, Chris and Ann spoke briefly about their Dad. Each of the nieces removed their white gloves and rose and placed them on Reggie's casket as they left.

May you Rest in Peace Reggie