Ralph E. Barnes, 56, Huntingtown

Capt. Ralph E. Barnes, 56, of Huntingtown died May 4, 2012.

Born Jan. 12, 1956, in Laurel, he was the son of Paul and the late Clara Barnes.

For more than 30 years, he operated heavy equipment. He got his start at his father’s company, Pilot Construction. He then became a foreman at Gudelsky Materials.

His true love was fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. He loved and fulfilled his dream as captain of the Valerie Ann. He was a faithful patron of Happy Harbor and a beloved waterman.

He was a big fan of the Baltimore Ravens and enjoyed watching NASCAR. He was a member of the Deale Elks Lodge.

His fishing pole is now silent, but his love lives on in all who knew him.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Valerie Hoffman Barnes; children, Ralph Barnes, Audra Keeler, Evelyn Spring and Amber Johns; grandchildren, Jackson Barnes, Michaela and Joseph Braun, Madison Keeler, Annabell Spring and Lillian Keeler; and siblings, Dinah, David, Cindy and Ellen.

Visitation was held May 7 at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, Owings. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 8 at Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church, Huntingtown. Burial took place at Southern Memorial Gardens, Dunkirk.